tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33430567608842077232024-03-21T14:29:15.816-07:00Strange Dark StoriesA blog about video games, their context, their subtext, their elements and their heroeshisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-91247509689123788552023-09-25T03:23:00.008-07:002023-09-27T09:36:15.689-07:00Time To Go Our Separate Ways?<div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CAdDvVpNiDBJTytTl6FCK3I-Vc_D7EVcHx3MTEI3PATQ_64yFmqbvdJpULAx1Sbb8yP92I1TWRKI1IgcAQmIyVYBxzUHrTut15i8TCW9j0EoOfhPb7_TIffMR64mTIxrUr-0ikps9spUHxduCU3cf0PtzvqDog4PATxw2nidFHBvr2pNRxcEs67tTHZD/s1920/20230922034332_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CAdDvVpNiDBJTytTl6FCK3I-Vc_D7EVcHx3MTEI3PATQ_64yFmqbvdJpULAx1Sbb8yP92I1TWRKI1IgcAQmIyVYBxzUHrTut15i8TCW9j0EoOfhPb7_TIffMR64mTIxrUr-0ikps9spUHxduCU3cf0PtzvqDog4PATxw2nidFHBvr2pNRxcEs67tTHZD/w640-h360/20230922034332_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">There is a weird thing going on with almost all main DLC's from the latest Resident Evil games, including <i>Resident Evil 7</i>, <i>Resident Evil: Village </i>and the latest <i>Resident Evil 4</i> remake, that makes them feel and look like alternative versions of the main games with different protagonists. But in the specific context, this is not always a good thing: they give the impression that most of their parts had been considered as possible episodes of the core games that were then sort of reduced for whatever reason to be included in the downloadable content chapters. "End of Zoe" from <i>Resident Evil 7</i> might have been a slight exception, and I say "slight" because even if it was very good, it had us play with a protagonist who, albeit fairly cool and fun, had never been mentioned or appeared once in the main game. "Not a Hero", again from <i>Resident Evil 7</i>, was a frustrating race with Chris Redfield as a lead struggling in almost every step, with never enough items to go through extremely difficult areas and battles, in the end fighting against an enemy who should have been part of the main game anyway. "Shadows of Rose" from <i>Resident Evil: Village</i> had some interesting elements, but it lacked a believable plot base, resulting in giving strong "what if" vibes instead of being a solid, independent story. And now the highly anticipated, new and revamped "Separate Ways" from <i>Resident Evil 4</i>'s remake is one more addition to this bizarre list of DLC's.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBA8vpIQL7Y7Lj0YC33tlO2DyacYUvSLOdQZhrS2AkSZOhNoK8sWmTm8rKG8pH6LyG28M6gqjGQQmD9TQpcq1n2RmR_-wPTNgdS1W0-w-G6lEtSXK5IppPiNdEXvX6BaSjFRUxXK_PB_xgohNM64w9F2OgIana8anFb7Agr42nXhhupigD266phtdmqun/s1920/20230922034358_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBA8vpIQL7Y7Lj0YC33tlO2DyacYUvSLOdQZhrS2AkSZOhNoK8sWmTm8rKG8pH6LyG28M6gqjGQQmD9TQpcq1n2RmR_-wPTNgdS1W0-w-G6lEtSXK5IppPiNdEXvX6BaSjFRUxXK_PB_xgohNM64w9F2OgIana8anFb7Agr42nXhhupigD266phtdmqun/w640-h360/20230922034358_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">"Separate Ways" was initially an extended side game stemming from the original <i>Resident Evil 4</i>, with Ada Wong as the protagonist, where we followed our favorite lady spy in her own mission in the hostile Spanish countryside where the main game also took place. Ada would arrive in familiar areas of the core story, either before or after Leon, and she would sometimes offer a helping hand, even without him knowing. In spite of Ada's spy status, which by the way could have been put to even better use by applying stealth mechanics to her gameplay, the original mission moved in a similar pace with the main game, feeling at times a bit too much for Ada and her way of dealing with things. But this was part of the challenge anyway; the mini game was very well set up and executed, and never felt repetitive or dull although we were called to battle the same kinds of enemies and the same bosses (albeit in different forms, in Saddler's case).</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lXhpHgpuR4uZIe-WGAf1IfxoN-8oxuXu0FSq8OWN84S8CoSPETgs9B6SsP5fv--cbmGLZpQ4XR6XLybE5o-tqHhKylpuDdI-bEjn8TrC_GJJzmsPI5ZMbrQNEb86C2DSB0HoigA-w5_RsMQ47sWsDv4CMGoeovc_qdUiNeYRZpmkrycfpKxL4R4eVDAh/s1920/20230922034524_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lXhpHgpuR4uZIe-WGAf1IfxoN-8oxuXu0FSq8OWN84S8CoSPETgs9B6SsP5fv--cbmGLZpQ4XR6XLybE5o-tqHhKylpuDdI-bEjn8TrC_GJJzmsPI5ZMbrQNEb86C2DSB0HoigA-w5_RsMQ47sWsDv4CMGoeovc_qdUiNeYRZpmkrycfpKxL4R4eVDAh/w640-h360/20230922034524_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The revamped "Separate Ways" is a different story, however. After a promising and intriguing entrance, with Luis performing flamenco in a prison cell and Ada rescuing him from execution at just the last minute, things start to progressively change. An annoying mysterious enemy makes his appearance, infecting Ada with his claw and we are forced to fight him at that extremely early stage with our very limited and weak resources. Ada begins to experience weird hallucinations caused by the infection, that severely affect her battling skills. We understand that this enemy, called for the time being 'The Black Robe' (because he is sporting a fancy black robe literally, and by the way it turns out he is a familiar "face": he is the other guardian, besides Verdugo, who, in the main game, accompanies Salazar in his dramatic appearances), will be stalking us for quite a while, because he is not exactly dead after that first fight is over. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV989HgKeFSJdal_t8DugaNjFZljxxntdaoc4wxZGSGWawLCp9Zkp4uDf1CH3RoWSZOJl9auc49nQlNsNcgDC8gqqGDzpm4BnUlwN7Q3HNdvdrSikrig4QvWOx7-la0TX_I5nfxo5Dnab5f8ksxQS_019O-dtVBDoPjNMU3OTIE84EF0uK1Y88ItYIc41V/s1920/20230921222403_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV989HgKeFSJdal_t8DugaNjFZljxxntdaoc4wxZGSGWawLCp9Zkp4uDf1CH3RoWSZOJl9auc49nQlNsNcgDC8gqqGDzpm4BnUlwN7Q3HNdvdrSikrig4QvWOx7-la0TX_I5nfxo5Dnab5f8ksxQS_019O-dtVBDoPjNMU3OTIE84EF0uK1Y88ItYIc41V/w640-h360/20230921222403_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Either alone or with Luis for very brief segments, Ada goes through several familiar environments of the main game, but we are also introduced to new areas, an addition that is, in fact, the best and most memorable part of the DLC. The Castle, in particular, is a fantastic stage, what with its new puzzles and treasure-packed rooms (although said treasures are just for admiration, and we cannot take them with us), but unfortunately this does not last for long: the Black Robe appears for a last time, now as a boss in full swing, and it is revealed to be the infamous U3 from the original main game, an enemy that was left out of the remake and now we get to know why. Then Ada, having freed herself from the infection by putting her attacker to sleep for good and spitting out its germ, rushes for the island, now for a new mission that Wesker who, incidentally, shows up in person in the side game's remake, assigns to her. Wesker intends to blow up the island, but Ada disobeys his orders and instead of setting up the fatal explosion, just like he told her, she instead prepares a series of blasts that will not happen at the same time (or at all), so as to give Leon time to escape with Ashley. While on the Island, Ada discovers a secret experiment base and a fierce monster - another impressive addition which also links Wesker to the story even more. Thankfully we do not have to fight this monster, "just" run for our lives the few times that it appears, but we get an idea of what was really going on there under Wesker's all-seeing eye.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjVlK3L20YZg5sEkuZ3v-o7IsrhS5TNmEWPDpdk7oiwoGpqgCmPSXpjFUs0f5L-jpqr_3HIWl15cLVWp6_OC2PE7mHwf5E63z6uV9PEM6yKwiIa-pWRxxDfiOY0zMTvmWNrCn5HYnc1Xu71iGdPV0j68CjaZ_P24F78jsjfWnO5j-oKuz4vMdEfHoa8WR/s1920/20230923003936_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjVlK3L20YZg5sEkuZ3v-o7IsrhS5TNmEWPDpdk7oiwoGpqgCmPSXpjFUs0f5L-jpqr_3HIWl15cLVWp6_OC2PE7mHwf5E63z6uV9PEM6yKwiIa-pWRxxDfiOY0zMTvmWNrCn5HYnc1Xu71iGdPV0j68CjaZ_P24F78jsjfWnO5j-oKuz4vMdEfHoa8WR/w640-h360/20230923003936_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Although the revamped side game is well made as a whole and has its fair share of interesting and challenging moments, after a while it starts feeling rather sluggish and forced. Sometimes it looks like Ada cares more about how to pose herself and much less about what is happening around her. The boss fights are quite stressing and weird-looking, especially those with our known enemies. The Gigante sequence in the village and the U3 battle in the Castle feel like diminished, toy versions of the ones in the main game's remake and the original <i>Resident Evil 4 </i>respectively. Not that they are easy, because they are not; especially the U3 fight requires a lot of skill and cunning, but because they are relatively toned down and somehow limited overall, they seem like the treats that kids are offered in order to be tricked into believing that they are being given a fantastic present. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtaL1pfLmhbBX48_6IWeg_yBFVaY9IoqgGdZ6howvu9bUCPAAL1DBbd_GEKoVxC7br2jY5E3AYQTi9gEeUuFfFjMyfZBmHXE0r1JUJD_GAC4RUBYGFyUjIJ64_cfOVty1nsk3cf1SqW3ctOkynbB26wvUNIAVvOt0TsUQfHSK5_Nc-XXt_NX8euZ1-k3v-/s1920/20230922024854_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtaL1pfLmhbBX48_6IWeg_yBFVaY9IoqgGdZ6howvu9bUCPAAL1DBbd_GEKoVxC7br2jY5E3AYQTi9gEeUuFfFjMyfZBmHXE0r1JUJD_GAC4RUBYGFyUjIJ64_cfOVty1nsk3cf1SqW3ctOkynbB26wvUNIAVvOt0TsUQfHSK5_Nc-XXt_NX8euZ1-k3v-/w640-h360/20230922024854_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">That said, although the U3 part in the original was one that I loved to hate, it was such an iconic and challenging sequence in Leon's story that to take it away was enough heresy. But to take it away and put it in someone else's story (even if that someone else is Ada) is pure blasphemy. To add insult to injury, the title of the achievement that you gain for defeating U3 is one of the most characteristic lines that Saddler directs at Leon in the original. Which reminds me of the emblematic laser corridor that, again, was one of Leon's shining moments in the original game and not only it was left out of his story in the remake but it too was given to Ada. Now that is the ultimate kind of blasphemy. And unfortunately these are not the only instances of iconic moments / sequences that were part of the original main game and now were included in Ada's mission. The gondola part, the pounding pistons, the insect-inhabited flooded waterway in the Castle that you need to unflood so as to proceed, Bitores grabbing Leon from the neck as he opens the door in his mansion (I know there is a similar sequence in the remake, but the one in "Separate Ways" is literally a replica of the original's scene with Leon), even a couple of Leon's iconic one-liners, all so deeply connected to the classic game's plot, were now lightheartedly left out; which we knew already of course since we have already played the remake, but now we see they were not just left out, but they were also implemented in Ada's story. While at the same time a unique segment from the original "Separate Ways", the sequence with Saddler's battleship, was completely left out of its remake.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9q6HOW6NMeJDgLqNViVIh9O7AQiq-ilQvsiYJGM1_yiO669mFFwtmEZ9o5nWNOmkuX9DkNTspH4jwAA3pzKUCrbl-yLK6s-h0Atj-LvMuHXTGe5UJyKVFPZTFBEGutI391NhcKxx2-Cr7uU7IZJ9ratRYsGfUzW9YjdVpBMllC7I_ssYWrsPMLJoAweT/s1920/20230923003825_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9q6HOW6NMeJDgLqNViVIh9O7AQiq-ilQvsiYJGM1_yiO669mFFwtmEZ9o5nWNOmkuX9DkNTspH4jwAA3pzKUCrbl-yLK6s-h0Atj-LvMuHXTGe5UJyKVFPZTFBEGutI391NhcKxx2-Cr7uU7IZJ9ratRYsGfUzW9YjdVpBMllC7I_ssYWrsPMLJoAweT/w640-h360/20230923003825_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In her revised standalone mission, Ada seems a bit lost and, at times, out of place. She relies on Luis to get her the Amber, she relies on Leon to keep insanely strong enemies busy and away from her, and although her own path is filled with danger and challenge, most of the times she is more of an observer and less of someone actually doing something to push the action further. This was expected to happen in the main game, but not in her own adventure. What she does mostly depends on what other people have done before her, and with her overall "ennui" kind of attitude she gives the impression that she is not 100% there and focused on her mission, although her determination does shoot up in the final scene, where she appears to completely disregard Wesker's plans by ordering the pilot of her helicopter to change course at gunpoint. The fact that Ada is bored and eventually not as effective is highlighted by Wesker's obvious dismay and disappointment every time something doesn't go according to plan. We know our beloved arch-villain is a paranoid perfectionist, but to be fair, he is not exactly overreacting in this case. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9OmYwJxi7nRezc60t0dCDxsPzvtXzGptTufNZ_CpUcgocDlecIk6fYxtY_1I7uV0nOjXibLQ4WeRh6pAlXsWEPZCPbU6GrOcHXOsCa9w3Bug6U8xR6Ogt3KWo_SRYM0DONd1o9BCjB3iPy5jVsMfidaNjuKGlWhz4yV7EYD8SVV_e2uHQiLWWsjRhro9/s1920/20230922205235_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9OmYwJxi7nRezc60t0dCDxsPzvtXzGptTufNZ_CpUcgocDlecIk6fYxtY_1I7uV0nOjXibLQ4WeRh6pAlXsWEPZCPbU6GrOcHXOsCa9w3Bug6U8xR6Ogt3KWo_SRYM0DONd1o9BCjB3iPy5jVsMfidaNjuKGlWhz4yV7EYD8SVV_e2uHQiLWWsjRhro9/w640-h360/20230922205235_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">From a technical and structural point of view, the revamped "Separate Ways" has a lot of good moments, with flowing gameplay and nice surprises. Ada's grappling attacks are fantastic and it's a pity we don't get the chance to make use of them more often and not strictly in specific and prompted quick time events and moves. The search for the three ingredients in the Castle and the puzzles involving them are among the highlights of the whole mission and the full game as well. Luis's inclusion in the story as an active partner is a great plus, although I still wish an extra episode with him as lead was released, showing his path in the adventure, possibly including an earlier encounter with Krauser in the Castle grounds. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-vvwBTuQRStVdA7nQdNpnfybQn5UT0flmdtOU09ez_JHg6--q32Vvwp4x1ELDgnmMUYjed3Gz__4jd6fNXwtg3kIFBsOB3umH0D3wpGKrsJbuupcvRQwOHxbEnkol5P8jd7qS0tCIduKEfX_ZtV4ZJJ9JnlaNBpcsDGrYjM8QeIXo5NTp5WkF6RWIYpg/s1920/20230922025200_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-vvwBTuQRStVdA7nQdNpnfybQn5UT0flmdtOU09ez_JHg6--q32Vvwp4x1ELDgnmMUYjed3Gz__4jd6fNXwtg3kIFBsOB3umH0D3wpGKrsJbuupcvRQwOHxbEnkol5P8jd7qS0tCIduKEfX_ZtV4ZJJ9JnlaNBpcsDGrYjM8QeIXo5NTp5WkF6RWIYpg/w640-h360/20230922025200_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Speaking of Krauser, Ada has no interaction with him in this new version, which also means there is no boss fight with him in her story. This was kind of expected, since in the main game's remake she doesn't encounter him at all, and it is Luis instead of her who is present in Leon's knife fight with his former mentor, and the one who subsequently saves him from a fatal hit from Krauser. It is a change that not only makes more sense, as Luis is far more connected to Leon's story in the game than Ada, therefore his role in how Leon's encounter with Krauser plays out is far more important and determinant, but also aids the plot in that, as we see in the end, Wesker leaves the island with Krauser's infected body so as to examine the virus that it carried and see how he could possibly take advantage of the strain's potential, like he did in Antarctica, where he escaped with Steve Burnside's infected body in "Code Veronica". That scene could also imply that Krauser is not really dead for good or that maybe Wesker had the means to "resurrect" him somehow. This is Resident Evil, after all; death is never that simple in its universe.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRk3Egnn37eQuCiRAEytb4WSpQIfMqYJM8cJKlY_BTCQNV1G2UtsT0P8tYaTK3CvuNAya8Jct6ouAFNYU030rYiCCllNdTlQOVDUcRZitdNhz1_CKIb3d8tfSG0JslcRsf36SbH_5Zpd_oLN-23sV5zDQEUdxPMWHE-U-yrB3XAHr3MBAW4s8VdUtib08/s1920/20230923004048_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRk3Egnn37eQuCiRAEytb4WSpQIfMqYJM8cJKlY_BTCQNV1G2UtsT0P8tYaTK3CvuNAya8Jct6ouAFNYU030rYiCCllNdTlQOVDUcRZitdNhz1_CKIb3d8tfSG0JslcRsf36SbH_5Zpd_oLN-23sV5zDQEUdxPMWHE-U-yrB3XAHr3MBAW4s8VdUtib08/w640-h360/20230923004048_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The revamped "Separate Ways" is an averagely good side game with some fairly nice moments but also marginally disappointing at times, with several weaknesses that have to do, on the one hand, with the fact that so many iconic elements from the original main game were implemented here, as if in an attempt to make "Separate Ways" look more grand because it would probably feel inadequate on its own, and on the other with the limited development of its lead character. The road that Ada takes in this new version of her story is so distant that she nearly separates herself from the whole plot. But maybe this was done on purpose; her solitary path fits her spy persona and helps her watch things from a distance and plan her moves accordingly. Maybe this is how she should have appeared from the start, and in this sense her mission's remake was what her story needed to be properly narrated. I have said it many times in the past and I will say it again: Ada
needs a game of her own. She has been in the shadows for too long. But
something completely her own, not comprised of great moments from other
characters' storylines. <br /></p>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-47949133295948594122023-06-26T10:08:00.006-07:002023-07-08T02:25:46.294-07:00Resident Evil 4 Remake: The Coming of Age of a Legend<div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It's been eighteen years since the release of the classic <i>Resident Evil 4</i>, one of the most iconic games of the Resident Evil saga, and its recent remake marks a big change in the way that its story plays out and how it evolves along with its emblematic, unforgettable characters. With its remake, <i>Resident Evil 4</i> is no more the fairytale-like story of a brave agent on
a
mission to rescue a damsel in distress. It is a dark and gloomy tale
where the characters carry the weight of their pasts and the burden
of their environments, and their actions and decisions are direct
corollaries of both these factors. Similarly, Leon S. Kennedy, its equally iconic lead character,
has become more cynical, more sarcastic and distant, and far less keen
on trusting people, as a reasonable result of all that he had gone
through. It is not that all these elements did not exist in the original
game, it is simply that the view of the classic <i>Resident Evil 4</i> was
much different, in that it focused more on the adventure and action
factor and much less on the characters themselves. Now everything has
equal presence in the game; there is adventure, there is heavy action,
but there is also room now for a good deal of character development.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5liPbsej3-tkGj4Lwy1BE5WwKZhknI6Br7S4rxRJvXP62u5cMwYWnDzNAW5EOlzFbyf9BZA0nvVlXriK9kZO3fGeMx8rUkE-gaBWHhtwnM-JzBTkQp2McUD7CFZMAqoCUaMiM5BWpuMh4-unDq13qv_ge7qIiWxDrlZUan-L7o2J-Zpn71pIscgvc73az/s1920/vlcsnap-2023-06-26-18h09m23s098.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5liPbsej3-tkGj4Lwy1BE5WwKZhknI6Br7S4rxRJvXP62u5cMwYWnDzNAW5EOlzFbyf9BZA0nvVlXriK9kZO3fGeMx8rUkE-gaBWHhtwnM-JzBTkQp2McUD7CFZMAqoCUaMiM5BWpuMh4-unDq13qv_ge7qIiWxDrlZUan-L7o2J-Zpn71pIscgvc73az/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2023-06-26-18h09m23s098.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Resident Evil 4</i> has grown with its audience reaching its own allegorical coming of age, by toning down its playfulness
for the sake of a much more serious and compelling version
of its story. The gloomy atmosphere is not only due to the fact that both Leon and Ashley are seriously infected and time is not on their side; this was also part of the original plot anyway, although now the symptoms that they are experiencing are far more chilling and scary. With how the game and its characters have "grown", and coming from the remade story of <i>Resident Evil 2</i>, Leon's backstory can now be seen under a new light. Leon carries a heavy trauma from his Raccoon City experience, further intensified by the prestigious but not so desired position that he was blackmailed into accepting as a government agent, following his return. While in the original Leon seems to have accepted all this and looks quite confident and cool, Leon of the remake is far more realistic in his reactions and even from his narration in the intro it becomes more than obvious that he has neither forgotten nor forgiven anything or anyone. Directly opposed to this is his innate tendency to help and protect people, which was his main motive for wanting to become a police officer back in the day. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgWUmSEoUqkfRMpBLPBzXjlYtPAIpmmYb2KoL0TqjrKPiwpKjt3KVomymHtn0n7D_CWsg7sVGoz1c1Bv4jmtktFwGvTwvj8y86Z-peb8_BsDGou1NMPiydsNy3wWdyyT2GSNqh0rx7KJSHfubJcyh7S8-SF80QXQ8vY5SOh7h8fam-BhgZ8KQC6QghbSF/s1280/vlcsnap-2023-06-24-00h18m26s598.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgWUmSEoUqkfRMpBLPBzXjlYtPAIpmmYb2KoL0TqjrKPiwpKjt3KVomymHtn0n7D_CWsg7sVGoz1c1Bv4jmtktFwGvTwvj8y86Z-peb8_BsDGou1NMPiydsNy3wWdyyT2GSNqh0rx7KJSHfubJcyh7S8-SF80QXQ8vY5SOh7h8fam-BhgZ8KQC6QghbSF/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2023-06-24-00h18m26s598.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Throughout the development of the story in <i>Resident Evil 4</i>, this conflict between Leon's sincere sense of duty and offering and the always present awareness that he had been in fact forced to accept the position that eventually threw him into this hell, is a persistent nightmare that is very hard to ignore. Ashley's presence is a constant reminder for him of all the things that he was forced to do and comply with and all that he had to go through because of the orders imposed on him in the first place. Leon's bitterness over this situation is illuminated during his dialogue with Luis in Chapter 11, after Luis gives him the medicine that can temporarily stop the growth of the plagas inside him. When Leon tells Luis that "Ashley is the priority", there is a deep sadness in his eyes and his voice, expressing his bitter acknowledgement that his life does not matter because the President's daughter is the one who should be saved. And although Ashley is innocent in this and is the last person to
blame since she is a victim after all, the mere fact that she has a high status therefore she should be the one to be prioritized and saved before everyone else is something that Leon may have accepted because of his position in the mission and his own sense of duty, but at the same time he knows that he is merely being used as a means to save her, and in the case where he died, it wouldn't have mattered much if he had sacrificed his life to make sure Ashley would be saved.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYqhNON9B6Kl5B2lGbS0Te72vT-idhTLkJDEbaYM3R8wtVSe7tnPx90uz3rA1Rh3JYSb3LOFPh6iydOYhI2wTUK1txTT76MGzCfzJ-6EgCPhuHVx5vEH2b8oueUU0CryEsVvVhNAWD-58bFdFw3c2v_dxItx3H1gUbjUMdzUTRRwQ0tzgca1DMu5AyMOn/s1920/vlcsnap-2023-06-24-00h20m39s189.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYqhNON9B6Kl5B2lGbS0Te72vT-idhTLkJDEbaYM3R8wtVSe7tnPx90uz3rA1Rh3JYSb3LOFPh6iydOYhI2wTUK1txTT76MGzCfzJ-6EgCPhuHVx5vEH2b8oueUU0CryEsVvVhNAWD-58bFdFw3c2v_dxItx3H1gUbjUMdzUTRRwQ0tzgca1DMu5AyMOn/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2023-06-24-00h20m39s189.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Directly related to this is the theme of voluntary and involuntary sacrifice that slowly becomes prominent as the story progresses. At the end of the game, Ada has a conversation with Wesker during which he blatantly expresses his ambition to cause the death of millions of people so that only one - meaning himself - will survive like some kind of God. This however is not the only time that such a theme is mentioned or hinted at. Much earlier, while on the boat with Ada, Leon has a moral doubt about the value of doing everything you can to save someone when, in the course of this, many other people have to die. This doubt is not random and it is connected to him being in a stressful situation, having to save someone who comes from the exact environment that originally forced him to take on a position he didn't want. In his struggle to save Ashley, Leon put himself in extreme danger by getting infected; he nearly died. He had to save himself primarily because he had to survive so as to save Ashley, as the survival for his own sake would always come second. In the process, Luis was killed; even Krauser was a victim although he only realized it when it was too late. Which is why this doubt comes for Leon after two incidents of major importance, connected to the two men: Luis's murder and the unexpected encounter with Krauser. Leon's former mentor had been in a situation similar to his in the past, when most of his soldiers were perished during an ill-fated mission. So in his turn, Krauser comes from this traumatic past, having witnessed an involuntary sacrifice that drove him insane and turned him into a cynical, sadistic maniac. Luis, on the other hand, sort of signed his fate when he initially worked for Los Illuminados, and his change of heart was not enough to save him, because the forces he had to go against were bigger and much more sly than he expected. Regardless, they had both been victims, each one of them carrying a different degree of responsibility, but this didn't matter much after the point in which they both were unable to escape their destiny.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhYq8dVhJJTIBPQri-H_6YJfsjFiJAAVgVBS3EASEDYpJ3AfshgxF4NuvJXlq5GpzjJRDXHkD1mxw6WbmIAp9nyuAfzSTNjwuAgwddn2d1IkqMxZV6sejT0pQX1jzKVs9fOnOvGmrzG_LGtfsDOhr9Maj5iJ2ToW8SJ4u1KsE-ptaS7z9vOZa0NjUnv-s/s1280/vlcsnap-2023-06-24-00h24m26s259.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhYq8dVhJJTIBPQri-H_6YJfsjFiJAAVgVBS3EASEDYpJ3AfshgxF4NuvJXlq5GpzjJRDXHkD1mxw6WbmIAp9nyuAfzSTNjwuAgwddn2d1IkqMxZV6sejT0pQX1jzKVs9fOnOvGmrzG_LGtfsDOhr9Maj5iJ2ToW8SJ4u1KsE-ptaS7z9vOZa0NjUnv-s/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2023-06-24-00h24m26s259.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">So seen under this light, Wesker's ambition and Ashley's rescue have more things in common than one would think, although of course Ashley is completely innocent while Wesker is consciously and clearly aiming at eliminating whomever he thinks should die. These two parts of the plot are in fact two extremes that marginally come to a dangerous close when the circle of the story is complete. Which is why Leon, while genuinely wanting to save Ashley because he is a professional above all, never actually bonds with her, because she has the "curse" of being the bearer and reminder of such a heavy negative load. It would not have been the same with Luis, or even Ada. Luis and Ada may have been associated with dark forces, but they were independent individuals, conscious of their actions and decisions, for which Leon could face them straight and directly; which in fact he did in both cases. But he keeps his distance with Ashley because, unbeknownst to her, she is part of the wider environment that eventually brought him to a situation where essentially his life did not matter. And although he always has in mind that Ashley belonging to said environment and her innocence in all this are two different things that he never confuses, for the exact same reason, because his mindset is constantly clear and fair, he can never pretend that the first undeniable fact is non-existent. Although he of course cannot demand accountability of Ashley, as she is not the the one to blame for anything, her being part of the system that controls him is a given, and one that cannot simply get brushed off. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFk2rvmSE8OHbVhpRlrNJJyzfDcY9q6pUCrDct9rGDucxGcxhXRZVxqfgL7mYJUw89ou2fzxVNCE57aBNijimn9QfYBVlXTs71Hd4j7G_fkdU6pYnFXx4P_XEjafyuDgt5sLymTWe08ze8pqhlYjKj2MZh3qxFbyy9-AvrPXZ70kCgxVMLczMuVEnOQHc/s1920/vlcsnap-2023-06-24-00h27m55s654.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFk2rvmSE8OHbVhpRlrNJJyzfDcY9q6pUCrDct9rGDucxGcxhXRZVxqfgL7mYJUw89ou2fzxVNCE57aBNijimn9QfYBVlXTs71Hd4j7G_fkdU6pYnFXx4P_XEjafyuDgt5sLymTWe08ze8pqhlYjKj2MZh3qxFbyy9-AvrPXZ70kCgxVMLczMuVEnOQHc/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2023-06-24-00h27m55s654.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">From this perspective, the mind control that Saddler has on his victims is not much different from the control that Leon's superiors have over his life. From the safety of her office, Hunnigan keeps ordering Leon to not let anything happen to Ashley, and her worry about his own well-being is strictly connected to how effective he can be in rescuing the President's daughter. Leon is well aware of all that, but this doesn't mean that he accepts everything without having his own moral dilemmas. On several instances throughout the story, he mentions how he cannot forget things that scarred him in the past. And this is something that Ashley would never be able to fully
comprehend, in spite of her obvious kind heart and good will, because
she is coming from a world that is so different from Leon's. This becomes even more evident in the final scene, where Ashley, in a rather awkward flirting attempt, asks Leon if he is interested to become her personal bodyguard, essentially demanding exclusivity, something that sounds completely opposed to Leon's sense of serving the common good and society as a whole, which is why he diplomatically rejects her offer. In the remake of <i>Resident Evil 2</i>, in the scene where he and Ada come across Kendo and his infected daughter, Leon tells Ada that the reason why he joined the force was to help everyday people like the gunshop owner. Leon was never interested in offering his services to the elite; when he accepted to work for the government, it was a result of that infamous blackmail. Doing this, was a considerable personal sacrifice from his part, given moreover how cruel the subsequent training had been; in his own words, the punishing missions he had to go through nearly killed him. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPrHHFEvoGk2N9NOMY9bPU3MBuyrJdX19oVKyQSsBS-VuXiwNQ5i3KkkLB3z1u47k-gIi_r_iS1JyT_gxI3tyN_KQ1h1nnsDv3Q0gzQYBssQp4C9_hkJzCK8U5TJi8hFTU2YVjTQ0a6c45b1_e0-7xmg2DM_PoJqb1lfYN11ByUZ0Mq85Zh9AnvUFRVQ7/s1280/vlcsnap-2023-06-24-09h10m36s621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPrHHFEvoGk2N9NOMY9bPU3MBuyrJdX19oVKyQSsBS-VuXiwNQ5i3KkkLB3z1u47k-gIi_r_iS1JyT_gxI3tyN_KQ1h1nnsDv3Q0gzQYBssQp4C9_hkJzCK8U5TJi8hFTU2YVjTQ0a6c45b1_e0-7xmg2DM_PoJqb1lfYN11ByUZ0Mq85Zh9AnvUFRVQ7/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2023-06-24-09h10m36s621.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">From that point and on, he did his duty the best way possible, as from his position as a government agent, he indirectly served the common good, which was some kind of moral and emotional compensation for him. But becoming the personal bodyguard of someone with such a high status as Ashley was, would practically mean excluding himself from society in order to serve strictly one person, something that would contradict his moral standing and betray his ethical conscience. It is worth noting how lightheartedly Ashley passes from "I will become an agent like you" (which would mean stepping down to become equal with Leon) at the peak of the adventure, to "why don't you become my bodyguard to keep me safe" (therefore she would be maintaining her status and social supremacy) as soon as she is out of danger. This hints that she never really understood the gravity of the situation, and she comprehended it only to the degree that it affected her personally. So for the time during which she was infected and was afraid of what would happen to her, she was well aware of the danger, but as soon as the danger passed for her and she was no longer a victim, her heroic aspirations had no reason to exist anymore and she went back to the expected attitude stemming directly from her bourgeois environment. Because when she was depending on Leon to save her, he was her hero; but on the way back to normal life, she regained her status and the instant when she asked Leon to become her bodyguard, she literally viewed him as a potential employee, therefore her inferior. If social class wasn't an issue for her, she could have said something along the lines of "let's keep in touch after all this is over". This comes to an interesting contrast with the original Ashley's "overtime" proposal, which might have sounded more daring at the time, but it showed a far more friendly approach from her part, hinting also at how possibly she ended up not caring about social status and class, while at the start she was rather bratty: remember how she introduced herself to Luis as "the President's daughter", as if her father was the only president in the world and everybody should know her; but at the end of the adventure she seems to have changed quite a bit. While the revamped Ashley may look and sound more down to earth even from the start, but then it turns out that her elite upbringing is deeply rooted in her conscience and her attitude.<br /></div><div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBn4Muj54rdExgaSPM9HhH8cGHPFq8uLV2x_tshqLiZZ_g05YGREZbUb5-0cw_WHi71pPPL7WC4h3nbTtkhShYaWvI43UCP8G9c-kYKj_MDNtaae7sPfc1BAOtqAUj79rOpWi-L3slixXLL9xNalwQ2WXOK6EgCIwGZ2fuS7nMEm7jyFnLYNGvoqOPHm5/s1280/vlcsnap-2023-06-24-00h31m03s078.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBn4Muj54rdExgaSPM9HhH8cGHPFq8uLV2x_tshqLiZZ_g05YGREZbUb5-0cw_WHi71pPPL7WC4h3nbTtkhShYaWvI43UCP8G9c-kYKj_MDNtaae7sPfc1BAOtqAUj79rOpWi-L3slixXLL9xNalwQ2WXOK6EgCIwGZ2fuS7nMEm7jyFnLYNGvoqOPHm5/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2023-06-24-00h31m03s078.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Although
the game is definitely not political overall, such nuances are
inevitable, given the realism of the characters, the differences in their status and the depth of the
revamped story. Leon clearly comes from an average working class, but although he ended up raising his social status, he essentially never left his roots as far as his mindset and view of the world were concerned. Jack Krauser probably has a similar background more or less. Ashley comes from a bourgeois social circle of high society obviously, since her father is the President of the United States. Luis Serra apparently spent his childhood in the poor Spanish village where Leon's mission takes place. Having lost both his parents, Luis grew up with his grandfather who had very little to offer to him. In spite of this, and because he was an intelligent boy, Luis managed to escape his predetermined miserable life at the village, and even managed to be hired by Umbrella's dream team of scientists. So we could say that Ashley and Luis stand opposite each other from a sociopolitical aspect, since they share common elements but also extreme differences: they were born and raised in completely different environments, both socially and financially, but later in their lives, coming from different paths obviously, they entered the academic world. Ashley is probably studying something related to engineering (since she knows how to handle the wrecking ball truck), and Luis studied Biology. From what we can deduce, Ashley is an averagely clever person, while Luis was a child prodigy. It is a safe guess that Ashley, thanks to her social standing, had plenty of opportunities before her and was able to choose her field of studies among a vast array of possibilities, while Luis did not have much choice in his hands, although he clearly was far more gifted. Regardless, he managed to distinguish himself among his peers at a very young age, which is why he eventually drew the attention of Umbrella. Although he resigned from the company after realizing their real intents, upon returning to his village he accepted to work for Osmund Saddler and Los Illuminados; and judging by his last words, he must have been forced to do several
compromises that did not go exactly by a moral code, something that he regretted later on, but unfortunately it was too late. Had he grown up in a more privileged environment, an environment like Ashley's for example, both his path in life and his fate would have probably been much different.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5--D32V0ehLlgb8PKf-8x2Bt9EhsxiYF3AhJWBxC_1XsM-LNNqoNQAeIPtx5dS21OcgsX1OZCEZfV_XQSM4X43hJiRpFWlg2KtF-VdFCG6d54QiCGmBFpZGkPANhRi7Vndk5Hlxpxy8YAkKZH-6yQqIHkY2NL_VCKEnrhjZq2I_vPT2JqjtqNrqTCR3a/s1920/vlcsnap-2023-06-25-11h47m23s780.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5--D32V0ehLlgb8PKf-8x2Bt9EhsxiYF3AhJWBxC_1XsM-LNNqoNQAeIPtx5dS21OcgsX1OZCEZfV_XQSM4X43hJiRpFWlg2KtF-VdFCG6d54QiCGmBFpZGkPANhRi7Vndk5Hlxpxy8YAkKZH-6yQqIHkY2NL_VCKEnrhjZq2I_vPT2JqjtqNrqTCR3a/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2023-06-25-11h47m23s780.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">This sociopolitical dimension is highlighted also by how Ramón Salazar and his story have evolved. Unlike his depiction in the original game, where he was blatantly proud of his ancestry and marginally entertaining at times, in the remake he is a terrifying, grotesque figure who had even disgraced his family line and now he is trying to distance himself from it - "call me Ramón", he says while introducing himself to Leon, leaving out his - apparently historical - surname. Salazar is no more a spoiled boy with delusions of grandeur. Now he is a demonic force in the form of a midget; a ruthless, horrifying creature, that can raise havoc within seconds. Long before his appalling mutation, he is a miniature walking terror, controlling his huge castle with a ruthlessness that is contrasting his diminutive figure in a shocking way. By observing his dressing style and the decoration of his castle, it is easy to deduce that he still lives in the glory of the past, although at the same time he despises his deceased family, being the sole successor of the Salazar generation thanks to the infection from the Plagas. Ramón is a decadent aristocrat, holding on to a past that is long gone, falsely believing that the power provided by his infection is enough to keep him in this state forever. Having been fatally ill, he was "saved" by the Plagas, and this resulted in him having aspirations of immortality that eventually led him to believe that he was omnipotent.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjTEjK20kq20az0P5xWknh1hSsBVb0MYVTZdaL5wVWGJw2ZxDK5NvX0oL1rOIJrp-Hj9s02NfmjT4qnH5MYp70of0_o8abDw2VeDvD36wvTCie4_edskJJHoOxfdQ4fTLELCkuL3D9GHwYIH3tOBY8TzUGUivIzJidaNQOCXzq8XVqzOaGqxYsno7nBL1/s1920/vlcsnap-2023-06-04-14h00m37s128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjTEjK20kq20az0P5xWknh1hSsBVb0MYVTZdaL5wVWGJw2ZxDK5NvX0oL1rOIJrp-Hj9s02NfmjT4qnH5MYp70of0_o8abDw2VeDvD36wvTCie4_edskJJHoOxfdQ4fTLELCkuL3D9GHwYIH3tOBY8TzUGUivIzJidaNQOCXzq8XVqzOaGqxYsno7nBL1/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2023-06-04-14h00m37s128.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The big twist of the remake's plot that has Krauser killing Luis instead
of Saddler is the highest point of the revamped story, and where the real
focus actually goes, backed up more by another big twist that has Luis saving Leon's life from Krauser instead of Ada. Krauser and Luis turn out to be an integral part of Leon's life,
personality and evolution, and in the climax where all three of them are present, it feels as if the mission
to find and save the President's daughter was simply the triggering
event that brought Leon face to face with a dark period of his past,
that which involved Major Krauser, while at the same time bringing him
together with someone who was, indirectly, involved in the Raccoon City
nightmare and who now becomes his guardian angel and the only one able
to save him, and that is Luis Serra. This twist that expands the roles of Luis and Krauser brings the story closer to Leon and establishes him as the real and essential driving force of the plot. In its turn, the sub-plot that involves Luis and Krauser has way greater dynamic than
the main story. It can be seen as a separate "arc" within the leading
plot, and it fills the null space between the three characters (Leon,
Luis and Jack) who are inter-connected in more than one ways: Krauser
used to be Leon's mentor and is now on the hunt of the Amber sample
which was developed by Luis. Luis used to work for Umbrella which was
responsible for the Raccoon City incident which led to the series of
events that led Leon to become a government agent, subsequently meeting
Jack Krauser. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eailOVg-YrVWPJPMEn-RTN6PkVHFp_mVZjdJTDOVqQI_Qt6mXCkDWFGYzSOCDxNYyUYcZ1QBRrH0dRfWoc7L1UN2yiPKoJ8I-J0JTWRwFegWYiKDKb750IyZeLRAbhcX3ujW8dQAk1s1SSoxHUiQbLLzC1EGonGZ0Q5Zmi6QpLN3PYbawmdR19aOh4Kg/s1280/vlcsnap-2023-06-24-00h22m54s282.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eailOVg-YrVWPJPMEn-RTN6PkVHFp_mVZjdJTDOVqQI_Qt6mXCkDWFGYzSOCDxNYyUYcZ1QBRrH0dRfWoc7L1UN2yiPKoJ8I-J0JTWRwFegWYiKDKb750IyZeLRAbhcX3ujW8dQAk1s1SSoxHUiQbLLzC1EGonGZ0Q5Zmi6QpLN3PYbawmdR19aOh4Kg/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2023-06-24-00h22m54s282.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Krauser's evolution as a character is also very interesting, as now his story is much more related to Leon and his past. While in the original games he was a mercenary, randomly picked thanks to his abilities to accompany Leon in his mission in South America, in the remake he used to be a Major, Leon's trainer in the elite military group that he was forced to join after surviving the Raccoon City incident. As we can tell from the brief scene in the prologue, Major Krauser had been a particularly tough and relentless trainer, showing traits of a sadistic character that eventually burst to the surface after the incident that caused the death of his men in South America. As it turned out, he and Leon were the sole survivors, but while Leon managed to put all this behind him, at least to the degree where it would not affect his subsequent life, for Krauser it was something that proved impossible to get over. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0ppfUil0GJ91ZuqjB7VmB0O9-UWr5j7_Kn0JrzZCkvqGgZPb_9NywfBG0Vnes3QqNTua9Wgpwku9Gcl-n88n91dDPzRwHQ-XmLv7eG0lJKAtJ1F6EON9NqXaj824Nv16uo-I47aP1LlFxJ3Ius9JYW0wCEGl8GlutJff6MEiB0VjHq513_8THi87vlz_/s1280/vlcsnap-2023-07-01-16h14m12s404.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0ppfUil0GJ91ZuqjB7VmB0O9-UWr5j7_Kn0JrzZCkvqGgZPb_9NywfBG0Vnes3QqNTua9Wgpwku9Gcl-n88n91dDPzRwHQ-XmLv7eG0lJKAtJ1F6EON9NqXaj824Nv16uo-I47aP1LlFxJ3Ius9JYW0wCEGl8GlutJff6MEiB0VjHq513_8THi87vlz_/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2023-07-01-16h14m12s404.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Because Leon continued to work for the government after this, Krauser interpreted his reaction as treason, without taking into account the fact that Leon was under constant threat and blackmail and there was little that he could do to get out of a situation that might have seemed glamorous and desirable by many, but in fact was extremely stressing. When the opportunity arrived with Saddler tasking him with kidnapping Ashley, Krauser found his golden chance to take his revenge in the most effective way: the President's daughter might have been an innocent civilian, but she was still part of the system that let his men die in the jungle, so harming her would cause a direct blow to those people who were responsible for the tragedy he had lived. It is notable that Krauser's state in the remake is pretty similar to Chris Redfield's after the dramatic events in Edonia in <i>Resident Evil 6</i>, although Chris managed to maintain his sanity, and the post-traumatic syndrome caused him "only" a short-term amnesia and emotional resignation, while in Krauser's case the aftereffects were much more severe and irreversible.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMUaYO-a5TM5aBuP-vGvDPtiRu6lYe2LnioBHtyxjMQJKut7s0mWOa05q1-z_efYSDTnQ9rhQ4rzopGPGbHCl1cy1pvrwMm7ZW0vNh_zIExlB3Sf7VRSc9VqO5F6HarumI-2_nid2nmBw5NnLpS1vLQHOcfe9cxP6FljoyJYsDrYHFpr_o4Jq3d9fURxQ/s1920/vlcsnap-2023-04-06-20h01m50s017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMUaYO-a5TM5aBuP-vGvDPtiRu6lYe2LnioBHtyxjMQJKut7s0mWOa05q1-z_efYSDTnQ9rhQ4rzopGPGbHCl1cy1pvrwMm7ZW0vNh_zIExlB3Sf7VRSc9VqO5F6HarumI-2_nid2nmBw5NnLpS1vLQHOcfe9cxP6FljoyJYsDrYHFpr_o4Jq3d9fURxQ/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2023-04-06-20h01m50s017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It is hinted in the game that, because of the long hours of private training, Leon and Krauser had developed a special bond, and Leon respected his mentor in spite of his relentlessness. That bond of mentor-mentee or teacher-student was apparently strengthened more during the mission in South America, only to be abruptly broken after the mission's tragic conclusion. This was one more heavy emotional burden that Leon would carry from that point in his life and on, one that was very hard - if possible at all - to put to bed. On first look, this new connection between Leon and Krauser might feel like it somehow weakens their original dynamic, as in the classic game they were equals and Krauser openly and clearly respected Leon as a rival while in the remake Krauser had been Leon's superior and he still insists on treating him as a "rookie" although he is not one anymore. This change, however, leaves room for slowly building an emotional climax between them during their encounters, culminating in the dramatic denouement where Krauser comes to his senses, realizes that he had not been himself all this time and finally calls Leon by his name instead of "rookie", revealing that in fact he did respect him and accept him as a worthy rival, but the arrogance resulting from his infection's superior power did not let him show it before.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOKGbloNIaEjYMtdbEudNv60YccNimnumIvU2FHRL6AcBWaGFx8Fb_HDB3V0zx2Nu0u_HDmPReoC3gCxlln8juz8ALay-2AYz0eGQ-FufkiTaO4rAGNK-6s3MkSwgiui98ktsoam8GjbIxes23MT6fZE_0ayalcXX_I9HGLhwxWOMwKtufqpoZS1Jg2w8/s1920/vlcsnap-2023-05-24-20h52m42s314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOKGbloNIaEjYMtdbEudNv60YccNimnumIvU2FHRL6AcBWaGFx8Fb_HDB3V0zx2Nu0u_HDmPReoC3gCxlln8juz8ALay-2AYz0eGQ-FufkiTaO4rAGNK-6s3MkSwgiui98ktsoam8GjbIxes23MT6fZE_0ayalcXX_I9HGLhwxWOMwKtufqpoZS1Jg2w8/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2023-05-24-20h52m42s314.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The teacher-student dynamic is not limited only to Leon's relationship with Krauser. While accompanying Leon in an important part of his journey, Luis saw himself as a modern Don Quixote, having been a fan of the eponymous literary hero since he was a little boy, and would call Leon "Sancho", who was Don Quixote's faithful attendant. This dipole did not yet represent a teacher-student relationship, but a a bit later Luis differentiated his peculiar "roleplay" by giving Leon the role of a squire - a nobleman who attends to a knight before reaching an equal status himself. It is interesting how both Krauser and Luis saw Leon as their apprentice, while in reality Leon was almost as intelligent as Luis (according to Ada's notes in the original game, he is a genious), and nearly as strong as Krauser himself. Quite ironic as well, since Leon managed to survive them both.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3_lLhtV-bL5p8XrmYt-c5gdIY0QbhxweORoPqWUBx8w9ckHuo7ORJTGl1jfdXlCrf879k4pHB6rQLAmgEoLja0tRQVvx1BacLWesK4XQO2COaS2w3_6aMQgd9Pj6X0d4AWgsu-ku3p9TAwzLPtB2-69KyiaFiZqCgu70S4Tk__RBNLxMlp1jgrbcWqui/s1920/vlcsnap-2023-04-28-21h36m18s020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3_lLhtV-bL5p8XrmYt-c5gdIY0QbhxweORoPqWUBx8w9ckHuo7ORJTGl1jfdXlCrf879k4pHB6rQLAmgEoLja0tRQVvx1BacLWesK4XQO2COaS2w3_6aMQgd9Pj6X0d4AWgsu-ku3p9TAwzLPtB2-69KyiaFiZqCgu70S4Tk__RBNLxMlp1jgrbcWqui/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2023-04-28-21h36m18s020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Contrary to the roles of Krauser and Luis that have been expanded and developed, Ada's role is now very limited, but this should not be viewed as a downgrade. As I had mentioned in past articles, Ada's mysterious figure had almost always been omnipresent in Leon's adventures although in practice she never really helped to push the stories forward. There had also been a considerably important oversight concerning her persona, the fact that someone who was supposed to be a spy made her presence so loudly obvious in critical situations. Now all this seems to have been fixed, as Ada moves mostly in the shadows, watching the events from a distance, and she appears as a force of balance, almost a motherly one, at times reassuring even, in spite of Leon's justified cynicism and aggressiveness towards her.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueveFgOKkRQmB7eOI9mI0EiYpcFmiY-Y6E_gAg5uKf7qV4zfQDNgGqHaKADa1yOY1gc-9paLjvofTrYK2rpyqxcAKSW4H45P_CMOrg_N4WyHGIIy9nf-NFedNetUzQs_m5jRuAdpxsohgJP6TFOjNNZB_VjwSJ0ZkxTYmDUQqctw0fdcYNyDhIGsv0tRx/s1920/vlcsnap-2023-06-24-11h12m48s600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueveFgOKkRQmB7eOI9mI0EiYpcFmiY-Y6E_gAg5uKf7qV4zfQDNgGqHaKADa1yOY1gc-9paLjvofTrYK2rpyqxcAKSW4H45P_CMOrg_N4WyHGIIy9nf-NFedNetUzQs_m5jRuAdpxsohgJP6TFOjNNZB_VjwSJ0ZkxTYmDUQqctw0fdcYNyDhIGsv0tRx/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2023-06-24-11h12m48s600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The remake of <i>Resident Evil 4</i> has brought a legendary game into the modern world, with all the additional features and changes that should come along anyway. Although the original is one of those games that are insuperable, the remake has managed, by differentiating itself on crucial plot points and character traits, to gain its own place in the Resident Evil universe. As a side note, I would love to see a DLC with Luis as the protagonist, so that we have the chance to accompany him in his race against time to find both the Amber sample for Ada and the medicine for Leon and Ashley. I am guessing that at some point between the Courtyard and the Depths, he would have to face Major Krauser, which would guarantee a thrilling hide and seek chase and, why not, a most dramatic fight between them.<br /></div>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-34612783545709572222023-03-07T14:00:00.004-08:002023-03-08T02:03:13.402-08:00Philosophy In Assassin's Creed Odyssey<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Philosophy is a recurring subject that is explored extensively in <i>Assassin's Creed Odyssey</i>, as well as its eclectic relations with science and religion, all three being essential parts of not only the intellectual circles, but also everyday citizens in Ancient Greece. The protagonist of the game has the chance to meet several real-life philosophers, artists and thinkers of that time, as well as imaginary characters who also belong, directly or indirectly, to such groups and discuss with them issues related to various aspects of social, political, religious and artistic life.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WUPXUzab9p9V1OKMMulYDFBqiPlC-S_zbHmWpd1FHpXTjjsaNN_IlLrkgqBx267kyeVbi6j9nLB6v8OJv1P-oDdOnAFZmZU0pvG6KfOvkdFanIHV5bdjRjpO7R4z1vjtEYBU2jVIH1J_i0wAHqRFh3HY9C5jaa2dz4wMDS5ZyzkmvokHVrA0GVmw6Q/s1920/ACOdyssey%202022-12-22%2021-31-19-767.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WUPXUzab9p9V1OKMMulYDFBqiPlC-S_zbHmWpd1FHpXTjjsaNN_IlLrkgqBx267kyeVbi6j9nLB6v8OJv1P-oDdOnAFZmZU0pvG6KfOvkdFanIHV5bdjRjpO7R4z1vjtEYBU2jVIH1J_i0wAHqRFh3HY9C5jaa2dz4wMDS5ZyzkmvokHVrA0GVmw6Q/w640-h360/ACOdyssey%202022-12-22%2021-31-19-767.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Sokrates naturally has the lion's share in the philosophical part of the
game, providing his sometimes cryptical input in situations where
decisions make a critical difference and they may even have unpleasant
outcomes. The essence of Sokrates's philosophy lies in self-awareness and perception as individual traits that a person should have and cultivate as means to understand and interpret the world around them. Sokrates doesn't really have any doubts - or, at least, expressing them openly is not his priority. He uses doubt as a vehicle in order to make people consider things and reach conclusions based on their own way of thinking. The first time that Alexios meets Sokrates is in Athens, where our hero had previously been sent by Perikles to rig a vote in order to change its outcome. Surprisingly enough, this action proves to not be in favor of the man who was being judged, because Perikles wanted his friend to be exiled in order to keep him away from imminent danger. Sokrates arrives to watch the announcement of the vote's result and poses us a series of questions about the limits of responsibility between the perpetrator and the abettor of an action. The interesting thing about Sokrates's dialectic method is that he never seems to agree with what Alexios replies to him, or that at least he finds new subjects for discussion with every answer that he gets. What he does in fact is that he tries to plant ideas in his conversator's mind, because, for him, ideas and thoughts are essential for the development of the person overall.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VRnrquOsY8h-vSG_yfiG78C-8kfkejbp667ySb3K1Z8QOxYVvhxafyZG5wMyMBzj6TrHC-sDx9CX3YhqVEenKLRKkMef6CcJE7rgySnWczug_17xUEGm5k_WjmAf3-7wXfXNwUQCOJsqQqiuNHWV0Wm1-hGnHA5i9iZUzQbRZhIoq7wZWbd_H75jkg/s1920/ACOdyssey%202022-12-22%2022-51-39-767.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VRnrquOsY8h-vSG_yfiG78C-8kfkejbp667ySb3K1Z8QOxYVvhxafyZG5wMyMBzj6TrHC-sDx9CX3YhqVEenKLRKkMef6CcJE7rgySnWczug_17xUEGm5k_WjmAf3-7wXfXNwUQCOJsqQqiuNHWV0Wm1-hGnHA5i9iZUzQbRZhIoq7wZWbd_H75jkg/w640-h360/ACOdyssey%202022-12-22%2022-51-39-767.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Later on, during Perikles's symposium, Alexios meets Sokrates again. This time, the philosopher brings about the subjects of leadership and justice, and aptly so since the setting is the villa of the city's leader. Sokrates wonders if ruling is an art, making Alexios - and us - consider to what extend real rulers and leaders are just in their decisions and whether their actions are for the benefit of the common good or they simply serve their own ambitions and personal plans.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPlds_tvoUCdYYr4lQbIcOolj6x9Vqs6-uvlKsNxW2ThUvRTR44r9-ckclNSOAG5eV_K8m-FVs7iCWFO2JAZNRw_Qgi5zt7FAHI5HUnkaxc97lV1aSItTBm_U0XtMkg25rmsSS1fqMxTP2Jnn0-6qc83I0VdbaIXMf6Go0zpwpnsoRC2WyPENEZiUpA/s1920/ACOdyssey%202022-12-22%2021-52-13-047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPlds_tvoUCdYYr4lQbIcOolj6x9Vqs6-uvlKsNxW2ThUvRTR44r9-ckclNSOAG5eV_K8m-FVs7iCWFO2JAZNRw_Qgi5zt7FAHI5HUnkaxc97lV1aSItTBm_U0XtMkg25rmsSS1fqMxTP2Jnn0-6qc83I0VdbaIXMf6Go0zpwpnsoRC2WyPENEZiUpA/w640-h360/ACOdyssey%202022-12-22%2021-52-13-047.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">At the same symposium, Alexios has a brief chat with the existentialist Protagoras. The sophist answers every question by doubting the existence of everything, wondering constantly whether what we see with our own eyes is truly there. Although the conversation with him naturally does not bring any fruit, since he seems to doubt the existence of everything and everyone around him, it still brings a very interesting issue into matter: our perception of things may not necessarily correspond fully to how things truly are. Each person has a unique way of seeing and perceiving everything around them, and this perception is the result of a series of experiences, thoughts, conclusions, activities that, for every person, form what we call "life experience". So two people may be looking at the same thing and still see something different.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SNfJLawh2GmfxPdmurqvDcC_GPKBjb_Zi9YkXCXE_vfuoe0SpCkp2Mzw8yiD4cice8PgreeRwPojnhKOCgSHymbhoZN4IPDeax8DgFG0XYKUETcjtOh0izSCANmibb7xw9grTC5nq9VsF0buNWbXhUD8nwBMg8jxWneCm_QPzCJtFCz2SqJW9xrbdA/s1920/ACOdyssey%202022-12-21%2018-59-01-277.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SNfJLawh2GmfxPdmurqvDcC_GPKBjb_Zi9YkXCXE_vfuoe0SpCkp2Mzw8yiD4cice8PgreeRwPojnhKOCgSHymbhoZN4IPDeax8DgFG0XYKUETcjtOh0izSCANmibb7xw9grTC5nq9VsF0buNWbXhUD8nwBMg8jxWneCm_QPzCJtFCz2SqJW9xrbdA/w640-h360/ACOdyssey%202022-12-21%2018-59-01-277.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Alexios comes across Sokrates again later, during specific quests, where critical decisions are connected with questions of morality. At some point, Alkibiades sends Alexios on a series of tasks in order to forge the name of a friend of his on the Athens citizenship list and make sure a witness will testify that said friend is indeed an Athenian citizen. It turns out that person is a traitor, and the question that arises is whether he deserves to become an Athenian citizen, albeit illegally. Sokrates is there of course, to wonder whether we should only judge people based on their past actions or we could offer them a second chance, posing a moral dilemma that cannot be easily or straightforwardly answered. Usually people never fully change, this is a trait of all living beings after all. In some cases, people who have done bad things in the past, eventually come to a point where they have their regrets, and this may lead them to change path in their life. But the contrary can also happen: a good person may become bad due to factors like circumstance or misfortune. For this reason, each case should be considered separately, and there is not a universal rule or strategy that can be applied to everyone.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPy2BPKxylBdgYs5sfbzXMEcReVnrjFBoMBPJ2z2jJDO6MZVY2WTzvmlcIIpIzwr-irPGGMX_QomqUZ4zVLEb4xuieEx4hXRhlsDAYfsji84bLfdo6DJVytioaQ3qNbDU3paTlJ5YS1xP-HUwPtR2GkoT7sxpgLId-oohUv-zOz8qQFfrqFAuGtfxbvg/s1920/ACOdyssey%202022-12-22%2021-31-11-679.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPy2BPKxylBdgYs5sfbzXMEcReVnrjFBoMBPJ2z2jJDO6MZVY2WTzvmlcIIpIzwr-irPGGMX_QomqUZ4zVLEb4xuieEx4hXRhlsDAYfsji84bLfdo6DJVytioaQ3qNbDU3paTlJ5YS1xP-HUwPtR2GkoT7sxpgLId-oohUv-zOz8qQFfrqFAuGtfxbvg/w640-h360/ACOdyssey%202022-12-22%2021-31-11-679.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">While Alexios is on the hunt for an Athenian Cultist, who also happens to be a writer, Sokrates intervenes with a series of questions concerning freedom of speech and its potential limits. He wonders whether it is fair to shut people up, in cases where said people have extreme or dangerous opinions; a situation that cannot always have an easy or straightforward solution. Living in a state of Democracy, naturally the person in question has every right to express their opinion, no matter how ugly or threatening it may be. On the other hand, people with such extreme or dangerous opinions are usually enemies of Democracy, so the regime should, in theory at least, be protected somehow. Then again, if said enemies of Democracy are given the freedom to express themselves, their dangerous opinions are being made known to the public, therefore it is easier to keep an eye on them and take action against them if and when it becomes necessary. It is a matter than cannot be easily answered, and its handling depends on several other factors.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMnNB39lzXuzyaJ64GQsC9mkybpBPg_dMOtuwJCwN6zcX_XBTcuS_D0dVx9gSby5uKVGGtjYW_2EYz3SB2o-9nxVNVBadP2mDZ_vSYFw1ImL2RNmWoplvSHvgNHDBvFmHcPUTuK6c6wltM6e8kaVnd_NMEckL5R2MRfuR3eTySRAyhC2RVSpPAV6vuQ/s1920/ACOdyssey%202022-12-22%2021-33-44-964.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMnNB39lzXuzyaJ64GQsC9mkybpBPg_dMOtuwJCwN6zcX_XBTcuS_D0dVx9gSby5uKVGGtjYW_2EYz3SB2o-9nxVNVBadP2mDZ_vSYFw1ImL2RNmWoplvSHvgNHDBvFmHcPUTuK6c6wltM6e8kaVnd_NMEckL5R2MRfuR3eTySRAyhC2RVSpPAV6vuQ/w640-h360/ACOdyssey%202022-12-22%2021-33-44-964.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">A bit later, another issue shows up, as Sokrates seems to have been somehow involved in the theft of a horse from the farm of a wealthy man. Apparently the philosopher learned about this matter and, digging deeper into it, found out that it was not one of a typical theft. The person who stole the horse was a poor farmer who had no means to support his family. He took a desperate decision and stole the horse from the rich man, intending to work with it and provide for his people. Subsequently, he was arrested. Sokrates poses a moral question to Alexios, concerning the degree to which the motive behind an action that is considered bad or illegal should or should not be taken into account when deciding about the culprit's fate. With this case as a starting point, Sokrates moves on to express more universal questions. Should every crime have consequences? And what about cases when a "crime" is for the benefit of the common good?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeO_BSR0iIm_0eb1Zps67N_4cRWHvzNW1Vs0FdSmQOdIWZe6gS7ovSSX081CfQMjBEKBYewEgb_zlr_7jVTT4UgVqIU4Ty1TaYnUuQfCQa-YOZaGfTHU-Qsvq2fmdbjmhmVhGTE-4xbdxq9NnvyBRg49P0EXZMcxzW78Rqhi3IdVhaEbzYkhfAeZyVg/s1920/ACOdyssey%202022-12-22%2021-38-02-610.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeO_BSR0iIm_0eb1Zps67N_4cRWHvzNW1Vs0FdSmQOdIWZe6gS7ovSSX081CfQMjBEKBYewEgb_zlr_7jVTT4UgVqIU4Ty1TaYnUuQfCQa-YOZaGfTHU-Qsvq2fmdbjmhmVhGTE-4xbdxq9NnvyBRg49P0EXZMcxzW78Rqhi3IdVhaEbzYkhfAeZyVg/w640-h360/ACOdyssey%202022-12-22%2021-38-02-610.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">These questions are also connected to the next situation where Sokrates gets involved while Alexios is just about to locate one more Cultist, a ruthless slave owner. The "Master", as they call him, has tricked one of his slaves into believing that he is going to give him his freedom which the poor man has managed to buy by saving money. However when the time comes, the Master refuses to set the man free. When Alexios offers to help the slave by talking to the Master, the latter agrees to offer the slave his freedom if Alexios accepts to kill someone for him. At this point, Sokrates intervenes, essentially stressing the weight of the moral dilemma that rises for our hero, as he is called to decide upon the fate of a man by sacrificing another person's life. Sokrates sees this case as the perfect chance to discuss with Alexios about equality between people and its potential limits. The clue in this case, however, is that the moral dilemma in question is a fake one. The Master may be a wealthy man, and he may be the "owner" of the slave, but in fact he has no real influence over anyone because he is no position to exert power that goes beyond his domain. So he may be the slave's master, but he cannot really decide about the fate of people that do not "belong" to him, therefore he is in no position to blackmail Alexios in order to make him kill someone who is a free person and is not under his command. Moreover, the slave has already bought back his freedom, which makes the Master's refusal to set him free blatantly illegal. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1AlMVxG4QgKo5di3eDobHjDSZ0_ChZChpJ4IIhJuRLoH1ChITGIVV5BIj9ftYWalZXiDqqVEBZ-PvKD8_55NhErmXGW-FRFs2H1wap-Hhft-sV1DbRIZW3w8uHRO7bLkqkpKjx8DUY0_8T0TjUlw6ZKsE_GQVInz5eHJkbtvgPlQoFXcNKTa38SqQw/s1920/ACOdyssey%202022-12-22%2021-45-27-464.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1AlMVxG4QgKo5di3eDobHjDSZ0_ChZChpJ4IIhJuRLoH1ChITGIVV5BIj9ftYWalZXiDqqVEBZ-PvKD8_55NhErmXGW-FRFs2H1wap-Hhft-sV1DbRIZW3w8uHRO7bLkqkpKjx8DUY0_8T0TjUlw6ZKsE_GQVInz5eHJkbtvgPlQoFXcNKTa38SqQw/w640-h360/ACOdyssey%202022-12-22%2021-45-27-464.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">On the idyllic island of Delos, Alexios bumps one more time onto Sokrates who again is found in the heart of a tumultuous case that seems to have caused a commotion among the locals. A rebel stole from the sanctuary, and while he was being arrested, he killed one of the guards. The man then was going to be executed but since death of any kind on Delos was forbidden, he had been imprisoned, waiting to be transported to Mykonos for his execution. Sokrates calls Alexios to decide whether the man should be saved from his fate, considering that his initial motive was for a good cause: he stole from the Delian sanctuary in order to help the rebellion against Podarkes, the cruel leader of the Silver Islands. When Alexios goes to talk to the man, however, he finds out that his mindset is rather extreme and in reality his actions, instead of helping the rebellion, could seriously harm it. In the long run, if Alexios frees the man by sending him on his way, it is a decision that may have tragic consequences. This is something that is impossible to know beforehand, so our hero is called to consider all possibilities and take a hard decision by killing the man himself in cold blood, something that, in the end, will prove to be for the best of all parties involved. This also goes to show that morality can sometimes be fluid, especially when important values are endangered.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjXzYYj0sxvRiSZVvcq_1o24r68Nar3OClcX_cgZ43xRIftNwvhtX8Q3JfHRVO2d0RacGhf5MFJNl9j5mDZtGdZiZ9AkvQZvWVCs4NcgkoCEHP02Uk4yMhZMozFmDkcE9BTlUrjKiBjrfKAdYHqJeWbPnoWga0Tx1g9HyI4EnjLq0UML8iI811Rc4nw/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-12-21-23h27m25s709.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjXzYYj0sxvRiSZVvcq_1o24r68Nar3OClcX_cgZ43xRIftNwvhtX8Q3JfHRVO2d0RacGhf5MFJNl9j5mDZtGdZiZ9AkvQZvWVCs4NcgkoCEHP02Uk4yMhZMozFmDkcE9BTlUrjKiBjrfKAdYHqJeWbPnoWga0Tx1g9HyI4EnjLq0UML8iI811Rc4nw/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-12-21-23h27m25s709.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In Achaia, Alexios meets Demokritos, whose philosophical questions are the most cryptic and complex, being also connected to physics and mathematics. Demokritos sends Alexios on a quest to find three theorems that, according to him, are essential for understanding how the universe works. <a href="https://i.imgur.com/8ebwx9Q.jpg">The Golden Ratio</a>, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/N8rErNp.jpg">Zeno's paradox</a> and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ZABS0nV.jpg">the Pythagorean theorem</a> may seem like they are much different on first look, but they all prove that everything around us is relative and that the universe is infinite. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigml6yrrXDGxtV0VkLo6q1gS4XrSxCOUieh-JN1MrkvIyuheRzhjiZAA4ith7Ev7OfHG-Y20kbNNO9yMahF5WifDpk8iPt5poXkeFo6YeJ2UbEuxh88DLFRvE6mfImeCdsQmfYwhfb8b6n6sON2PVJ-uLbT9DGGTZU7XlHCZGoipmudOpWY7TkHt_ckQ/s1920/ACOdyssey%202022-12-21%2018-10-18-417.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigml6yrrXDGxtV0VkLo6q1gS4XrSxCOUieh-JN1MrkvIyuheRzhjiZAA4ith7Ev7OfHG-Y20kbNNO9yMahF5WifDpk8iPt5poXkeFo6YeJ2UbEuxh88DLFRvE6mfImeCdsQmfYwhfb8b6n6sON2PVJ-uLbT9DGGTZU7XlHCZGoipmudOpWY7TkHt_ckQ/w640-h360/ACOdyssey%202022-12-21%2018-10-18-417.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">What Demokritos describes seems to nod to quantum physics and the Dirac equation. According to quantum physics, everything that exists in the universe acts and reacts both as a particle and as a set of waves. These two elements, however, are opposites: the waves can expand to many places around them, while the particles can only be limited to one place. Moreover, the way that the waves react with each other is very different from the way that particles react with each other. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirac_equation">Dirac equation</a> is based on the claim that if two different systems keep reacting with each other for a set period of time and then are separated, from that point and on they can still be seen as two different systems, but at the same time they will have already been united in one new system with a new form of matter. Because of this, the initial two systems will still be in position to affect each other, no matter how much the distance between them is. Since they connected with each other at a certain point, they remain united forever even if they are miles apart now. Something like this happens when two people fall in love with each other and they get separated (although this applies not only to erotic love, but also to friendly love or whatever similar human connection). Love brings people together, and when they are separated, the same element of love is what keeps them connected, diminishing the distance between them on an unseen level. These connections resemble those between the planets and stars that exist in the universe thanks to the law of gravitation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRf-7sBPeJU7X9RNEbsscNAee3sh7eGHa58DJlAQREweNspLU4uMZFHDAleezJ1cxv6htxa9meu7R8pBSWBBNggaGTfyPTWyzfp5TPSzqSpU1UkPUzKn8Gb4I3RT0wnnhJebnjLOMYSDbaNM9EZTOve0CkTLFXWDfZrYTse5kfEF34iWHPVIuY_UOLg/s1920/ACOdyssey%202022-12-21%2018-10-10-664.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRf-7sBPeJU7X9RNEbsscNAee3sh7eGHa58DJlAQREweNspLU4uMZFHDAleezJ1cxv6htxa9meu7R8pBSWBBNggaGTfyPTWyzfp5TPSzqSpU1UkPUzKn8Gb4I3RT0wnnhJebnjLOMYSDbaNM9EZTOve0CkTLFXWDfZrYTse5kfEF34iWHPVIuY_UOLg/w640-h360/ACOdyssey%202022-12-21%2018-10-10-664.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">In a similar way, Philosophy and Poetry are connected with each other because they are parts of Life. In this context, Life is the force that brings and keeps them together because all three have a common axon: the human being. Between Philosophy and Poetry, there is a void filled by Love which, again, is the deepest of the human expressions. Demokritos then narrates a sad story about how he was in love with a poet in his youth, but never got to confess his feelings to her. Encouraged by Alexios, he decides to do it now, but in a tragic twist of fate he arrives at her home just seconds after she had been attacked and killed by bandits. Now this can be interpreted in both a realistic and an allegorical way: the realistic interpretation is that you should almost never leave for later something that you feel you need to do, because you may have only one chance to do it and once this chance passes by, there will be no other. The allegorical interpretation is that Philosophy (represented by Demokritos) and Poetry (represented by the poet) can never be fully united because they are notions that most of the times conflict each other. Philosophy, like Science, tends to research and analyze things according to theorems, observation and experiments, while Poetry interprets the world in a way that sometimes may even reverse and rebut the philosophical theories. On a different level, however, the Poet could also represent how Demokritos viewed Philosophy: as his ideal love which he admired and researched about but felt too intimidated to approach more. The fact that the woman died before he had the chance to express her feelings to her implies that no matter how much a philosopher searches and researches things, Philosophy as a notion, just like the mechanism of the Universe, will constantly be a step forward, always almost impossible to reach and fully comprehend. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJjHe4tYlfQfrdMjx4QvoinB2I6g7D_jssdqbXTDcOaJWiL-yL35yxN5VjSnmu510msYwd0SuSlHi90QMgulXvNf5njfyRkmlW7p-bq7ilNaRsOLBC0J5oPw5XjkG2GhI_XyiPjAycJlzEBFFNZSMJf9Ohxf3FYmGhJBBoE28PkrD4j17M_12J8mH4A/s1920/ACOdyssey%202022-12-21%2018-15-23-709.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJjHe4tYlfQfrdMjx4QvoinB2I6g7D_jssdqbXTDcOaJWiL-yL35yxN5VjSnmu510msYwd0SuSlHi90QMgulXvNf5njfyRkmlW7p-bq7ilNaRsOLBC0J5oPw5XjkG2GhI_XyiPjAycJlzEBFFNZSMJf9Ohxf3FYmGhJBBoE28PkrD4j17M_12J8mH4A/w640-h360/ACOdyssey%202022-12-21%2018-15-23-709.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>In Korinth, Alexios meets a strange woman who sends him on a series
of quests, all of which have a fair share of philosophical extensions.
The woman shows up in a busy park and seems to know very well who
Alexios is and what his accomplishments are. There are several tasks
that Alexios is called to take, which start with investigating two
graves: the man buried in the first grave died at sea, while the other
was killed by lions. After Alexios comes back from the graveyard, the
woman asks him to decide which God is the most dangerous: Apollo or
Poseidon. Depending on our choice, Alexios then will visit two different
places and the stories of those involved will test
his faith in humanity and how well he can judge people's characters and
trust them. The questions that arise during these quests also have to do with how much people's actions affect each other and to what degree the so-called divine intervention can be blamed for the outcome of actions that, in fact, are human. Is revenge the right path for justice? Or humans in fact commit hubris when they take justice in their own hands? <br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFOjNkODF4a50lEjdeO_rxihz1iR4l_WjNCx_1_8J_yT-vqNTzq1SMf7zTlWKXRbXVzjfdhnwAFHxROqa4IhFdR5MwaFh4Upn8iH6ByEXGLh2nEAMmSn5eZGgctK8-dRDH0VYQf4v3IXryicP8vRlR6ALPV_ZsFo7_2DGmrbq22Tvw4b5d8JglV1icA/s1920/ACOdyssey%202022-12-21%2018-12-18-902.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFOjNkODF4a50lEjdeO_rxihz1iR4l_WjNCx_1_8J_yT-vqNTzq1SMf7zTlWKXRbXVzjfdhnwAFHxROqa4IhFdR5MwaFh4Upn8iH6ByEXGLh2nEAMmSn5eZGgctK8-dRDH0VYQf4v3IXryicP8vRlR6ALPV_ZsFo7_2DGmrbq22Tvw4b5d8JglV1icA/w640-h360/ACOdyssey%202022-12-21%2018-12-18-902.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"></div><p style="text-align: justify;">On a less philosophical path, but still related is the story with the sculptor Polykleitos in Elis. Alexios comes across Polykleitos on his way to Olympia, and the sculptor invites him to a farm nearby where the residents have hired him to build for them a statue of the Eagle Bearer. Alexios becomes particularly curious since the matter is directly related to him and subsequently he gets acquainted with the people living in the farm, who all seem to have fallen in strange misfortunes. As it turns out, a cunning group of priestesses have taken advantage of Alexios's fame, and managed to convince this group of gullible farmers that the Eagle Bearer speaks through them. This way, they have made a small fortune by collecting valuable items and money from the people in the farm, supposedly to be offered as gifts to the Eagle Bearer. This story is connected to the previous one since it also explores the limits of faith, and additionally it goes beyond that, hinting at a case of mass manipulation. The farmers fell victims to their own faith, and let themselves be tricked by people who took advantage of this, which turned out to be their weak point. Lack of further and deeper thought was essentially what led these people to be so evilly manipulated, as they accepted the lies that the priestesses served them without questioning them. The exact opposite of Sokrates, that is, who questions and doubts everything.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmSWwO9_8o98bzMR05TdrCBvwb_piXFGvs_KwjYbnuUqOwog15dSbnAOFXgcpgonmiPYbuXjz8MIjhoGioHiGkR6tJDZmWKOrI_gDApEPRq0wBqO-Hov31H7fL6rUFFk7ePPagDed0Aw7PgOtGLTdmV7Tb0fvA8y1KlmpumRZ2kU0GznyPN3er7nhvA/s1920/ACOdyssey%202022-12-22%2023-14-52-546.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmSWwO9_8o98bzMR05TdrCBvwb_piXFGvs_KwjYbnuUqOwog15dSbnAOFXgcpgonmiPYbuXjz8MIjhoGioHiGkR6tJDZmWKOrI_gDApEPRq0wBqO-Hov31H7fL6rUFFk7ePPagDed0Aw7PgOtGLTdmV7Tb0fvA8y1KlmpumRZ2kU0GznyPN3er7nhvA/w640-h360/ACOdyssey%202022-12-22%2023-14-52-546.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">And speaking of Sokrates, there is one more story with philosophical extensions where he not only makes an appearance, but he is also the protagonist. In Phokis, Alexios meets Sokrates's wife, Xanthippe, and the two of them find out that the philosopher had been arrested and imprisoned. Based on Sokrates's real story, this mission explores a series of themes that seem to have been of interest or related to him and his philosophical queries all along. Sokrates was imprisoned because he expressed an opinion that apparently was considered too radical. Meanwhile, the Pythia had told Socrates that he is the wisest man. This was done deliberately from her part, because, from the privileged position that she held, she wanted to open the people's eyes and stop them from being manipulated by the Cult. Since Sokrates, like all people, believed that she spoke the words of gods, she hoped that, because Sokrates did not think that he was indeed the wisest man, she would make him doubt her credibility and thus consider that maybe it was not the gods who directed her, and subsequently make the people realize that as well and stop blindly following her advice and, eventually, the words of the Cult. </p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbbEjSafONo92epj467PSZX_Sfjm2KQkpLAMhIrkX8gxU3Jmo3VlBJtMNkgdkOHoi3IWBd9DNwQnyMxNUF9FQtBhR058rn6RSNwjGMSd-6Ev1wxnad2pWlLun_BIOjOybjdvKk-J6iIBGxvKG00SPBh7T6mpJHf71ZctiKrZu6Qo3Kq_Y4igbtFGjtA/s1920/ACOdyssey%202022-12-22%2023-02-49-493.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbbEjSafONo92epj467PSZX_Sfjm2KQkpLAMhIrkX8gxU3Jmo3VlBJtMNkgdkOHoi3IWBd9DNwQnyMxNUF9FQtBhR058rn6RSNwjGMSd-6Ev1wxnad2pWlLun_BIOjOybjdvKk-J6iIBGxvKG00SPBh7T6mpJHf71ZctiKrZu6Qo3Kq_Y4igbtFGjtA/w640-h360/ACOdyssey%202022-12-22%2023-02-49-493.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">On his quest to set Sokrates free, Alexios goes to a symposium in Delphi where he succeeds in convincing a few other philosophers to support Sokrates's right to freely express his opinion, even if they themselves disagree with him. Therefore freedom of speech comes to the foreground again, as one of the most important values in social life, being also one of the first matters that Sokrates posed to Alexios during their initial meetings. In the conclusion of this story, Sokrates narrates a myth to Alexios which is an allegory for the freedom of speech and the need for people to speak for themselves and not through the words and quotes of others. Something that Philosophy, in its essence, values as equally important as well.<br /></p><p></p>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-40842912783473541702022-12-02T10:59:00.013-08:002022-12-20T09:35:56.979-08:00Siblinghood in Assassin's Creed Odyssey<div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">One of the many prominent themes in the story of Assassin's Creed Odyssey is family connections, and especially the usually complicated relationships between siblings. This is an issue that dominates throughout the plot, since the lead character has a biological sibling who at least for the most part of the story is also their archenemy, and they also discover a foster brother, a young man whom their father adopted as a boy years before, after his original family was presumably lost. But apart from the protagonist's case and their relationship with their siblings, there are also many stories and substories in the game that either are centered around other siblings or their development depends a lot on the bonds that connect them or not.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Keep in mind that most of the stories mentioned in this article may play
out differently depending on the choices you make. My analysis is based
on the choices that I usually make in my playthroughs, which I feel they
make more sense. Still, although the outcomes may differ, the basic
emotional and intellectual traits of the characters always remain the same,
with minor variations.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Good and Evil as opposing forces</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Alexios and Kassandra </b><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Although not entirely unerring himself, since there are instances where he may be unjust or even cruel, Alexios is a good-hearted, well-balanced and insightful hero with foresight and high perception. Kassandra, on the other hand, having grown up in the care of the Cult of Kosmos, reached a point where she was brainwashed almost without hope of recovering. Chrysis, the priestess who took care of her, taught her from a very tender age to be cruel and ruthless and use her supreme power in all the wrong and evil ways. Her moniker, Deimos, pretty much sums up her mentality, her superhuman strength and the fear that she inflicts on others, since it means "terror". </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpexcW4MXtpk6QgVzntfL-mOUpb8-qdkJXNXhDEKRa3RGNIN3Rl1n3uwayFnUzaVZTLq-59WMcC_MP2VhBRdmJI1DrguCVJ0MBoLifQEhDOvSSNRemLZTH8sGddWCwd09OJDCDObdtWrV-vlrF1N7MNEBMJ8DxxnxXbPsiKAMmBOmAkRL-Ww6reWaYQ/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-11-18-18h12m52s439.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpexcW4MXtpk6QgVzntfL-mOUpb8-qdkJXNXhDEKRa3RGNIN3Rl1n3uwayFnUzaVZTLq-59WMcC_MP2VhBRdmJI1DrguCVJ0MBoLifQEhDOvSSNRemLZTH8sGddWCwd09OJDCDObdtWrV-vlrF1N7MNEBMJ8DxxnxXbPsiKAMmBOmAkRL-Ww6reWaYQ/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-11-18-18h12m52s439.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">We can see, however, when in the good ending of the game she is brought back to her senses and becomes her real self again, that she does have some good elements which, undoubtedly, will be cultivated further if she ends up with her family reunited. The relationship between Alexios and Kassandra is not that much complex, because they did not grow up together as siblings and in reality they hardly know each other, especially as far as Kassandra is concerned because she was only a baby when she was violently separated from her family. Still, the power of her bloodline never ceased to be there and it almost literally "speaks" to her when Alexios offers her to hold his spear. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p></p><p></p><div><p><b>Agapios and Neritos</b></p><p></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Agapios
and Neritos are the protagonists of a side mission which may be
optional but is particularly interesting and complex, as it also has
common elements with the story of our hero. You first come across
Agapios on the island of Euboea, where he seems to hold quite an
important role, but soon it is revealed that he is a slave. Not an
ordinary one, though, as it turns out. Lucky to have a generous and kind
magistrate as a master, Agapios managed to not only be highly respected
by his compatriots, but to also make several crucial connections around
the islands. Meanwhile, the residents of Euboea and Skyros suffer from
high taxes imposed to them by a fierce
illegal group called The Dagger which acts like some kind of mafia,
threatening people and forcing them to pay huge amounts of money at knife-point. Agapios sends you to investigate several cases around
Euobea which are connected to The Dagger's doings, and during your
investigations you gradually discover that the leader of The Dagger is
Neritos, Agapios's long lost brother who had been presumed dead years
ago after supposedly drowning at sea. Feeling abandoned and disappointed
after managing to survive, Neritos started a new life in the shadows
and he became the head of The Dagger, showing an extremely cruel and
merciless attitude that turned him into a terrifying legend. </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2OuICDCXCACtveWAkKzI5asXrgbVsO4R2_9Mg7F_M7xJf_e21oeyzRfoUvf83bXt73yEVGChW0W29QXiXcfyCTxTCt1FCdLrIFlsF-x0NANArz1sfxUcVtfa2cRNAPAKiRzpakddEZIE9Icvwb3FHVc15qJnivzA5pZWw5pN5EsT9qXBm_AxjExxGQ/s1920/ACOdyssey%202022-11-15%2020-03-13-444.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2OuICDCXCACtveWAkKzI5asXrgbVsO4R2_9Mg7F_M7xJf_e21oeyzRfoUvf83bXt73yEVGChW0W29QXiXcfyCTxTCt1FCdLrIFlsF-x0NANArz1sfxUcVtfa2cRNAPAKiRzpakddEZIE9Icvwb3FHVc15qJnivzA5pZWw5pN5EsT9qXBm_AxjExxGQ/w640-h360/ACOdyssey%202022-11-15%2020-03-13-444.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Eventually
the two brothers will come face to face, at which point and depending on
your previous choices, Agapios may choose to distance himself from
Neritos or naively believe that he can still change. You will have to
deal with Neritos and kill him anyway, but in the first case, Agapios
will be alive and well at the end of the story, deciding to remain on
Euboea even after his master offers him his freedom, to help rebuilt his
homeland, whereas in the second case Neritos will not hesitate to push
his brother off the cliff, killing him with no sign of remorse. Pretty
much like in the case of Alexios and Kassandra, Agapios and
Neritos are two opposites, the one standing for justice and the other
opting for criminal activity. What is interesting about Agapios and
Neritos is the great difference in mentality between the two brothers,
although for both of them life had been cruel: Agapios would always
focus on positive things and make the most of everything in spite of
lacking a most important thing, his freedom. While Neritos, despite
having his freedom, preferred to live a life dedicated to crime,
choosing a path that led him to more darkness.</div><div><p><b>Diona and Eritha </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Diona
is one of the most memorable female Cultists that you come across, what
with her seductive manner and her cunning, and she is also one of the
most interesting characters in the game overall. She and her twin sister Eritha are identical in appearance, but quite different when it comes to psyche, mentality and ethics. Alexios first comes across Diona, who is a priestess of Aphrodite on the island of Kythera and initially appears as an innocent damsel in distress, claiming that there are criminals in the region who are threatening her life. Alexios begins his investigation on Kythera, where things are not exactly what they seem and of course not at all how Diona paints them.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T__UOdbBjnntUMwLLl4LQFNNObI4cuzS1P5s249cQBun7RMafwo6NzO4XVw9FG_CYh1_GzyJSyZkAEH5PiCQj0d6AjWfZuB6chS8CHEBIGyEgQIjMrtOAH9Bi7lzq73P0XU0C35IxkpMoXkF4ScrQBCr2VNp2F70pl2nu2GXKCf9cvSfhfbb5qOnPg/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-17h23m45s283.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T__UOdbBjnntUMwLLl4LQFNNObI4cuzS1P5s249cQBun7RMafwo6NzO4XVw9FG_CYh1_GzyJSyZkAEH5PiCQj0d6AjWfZuB6chS8CHEBIGyEgQIjMrtOAH9Bi7lzq73P0XU0C35IxkpMoXkF4ScrQBCr2VNp2F70pl2nu2GXKCf9cvSfhfbb5qOnPg/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-17h23m45s283.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">As the story unfolds, Alexios finds out that Diona's sister is the High Priestess, a person far more esteemed and prestigious than herself, and the two also happen to be identical twins. Diona however hates Eritha because the latter had always been one step ahead of her, always better in everything, and her venomous jealousy led her to become a member of the Cult of Kosmos, in an attempt to claim her own place in the world and gain absolute power. As a villain, Diona is a very interesting character because she is evil incarnate in a way far more deep and complex than Kassandra whose extremely violent behaviour is mainly a result of brainwashing. Diona is one hundred percent conscious of her actions, and there is no way she can possibly change. Eritha, on the other hand, is a just person in general, but has her own fair share of cruelty as it is implied that she punishes people who don't show enough faith. But we could say that this is part of her role as a High Priestess, which more often than not demands from her to be severe. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYFCP92jNCAwk0WcDGApaQjE6Bdxl4i12DYa8taWMFqG32cDiirdWKrt2JLicHKHpRn1_UJ9bdjXrxIm0qbEAfH86l1UvmI8mydObJmb8p0WrZygNGWVU5cizku1P6zQL4pUJZlsoCQ0XLDsS0N4dBbdJTplL14XcE-L3MSf0vZ6RItxO2qyIJjqdMQ/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-17h24m41s898.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYFCP92jNCAwk0WcDGApaQjE6Bdxl4i12DYa8taWMFqG32cDiirdWKrt2JLicHKHpRn1_UJ9bdjXrxIm0qbEAfH86l1UvmI8mydObJmb8p0WrZygNGWVU5cizku1P6zQL4pUJZlsoCQ0XLDsS0N4dBbdJTplL14XcE-L3MSf0vZ6RItxO2qyIJjqdMQ/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-17h24m41s898.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">While Eritha cares for Diona, Diona is ruthless and determined to kill her sister in cold blood, but during their final confrontation, they both seem to share almost the same amount of hatred for each other. Good and evil in this case reach a point where they nearly overlap, an indication that everything in this life is fluid, even moral values.<br /></p><p></p><div><p><b>Herodotos and Mestor</b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpahwYxyj_Wd3cZ7TCwdgOCXco3_BkHJAgsbJYZnfuA0hL8kXHRqNp_r8FSUFzaG-LcMC4UEqK88neN0bHN45AQHrRyOUO_7xA1o-RpnQou9uZ32EhAo5fRceIFUKPfpV4APEnQeaHnrXmaoA1Nj06d8b7kVqGPqdDY6akFytT5v9RQubxpgykZtIjCg/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-12-02-11h42m43s032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpahwYxyj_Wd3cZ7TCwdgOCXco3_BkHJAgsbJYZnfuA0hL8kXHRqNp_r8FSUFzaG-LcMC4UEqK88neN0bHN45AQHrRyOUO_7xA1o-RpnQou9uZ32EhAo5fRceIFUKPfpV4APEnQeaHnrXmaoA1Nj06d8b7kVqGPqdDY6akFytT5v9RQubxpgykZtIjCg/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-12-02-11h42m43s032.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Mestor is Herodotos's adopted brother, who seems to be gentle and kind-hearted at first, but as it turns out he has a very dark side which led him to betray his homeland and his family. When Herodotos reunites with his brothers on the island of Samos, Mestor is the one to welcome him with open arms, seemingly overwhelmed with happiness for his return. This comes to contrast with the contempt and anger with which Theodoros, Herodotos's biological brother, reacts upon his arrival, creating a false impression about the inner motives of each character.<b> </b><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFxXzRlfnT7JWaYxgSYLy2udm0yWsAkNA-ycHGvexleX5ttkmAgRs2XA__FvVVvGH_EViA1i-6MVkYls_fvl4VcdbHuQ_Jxgf_ME1wUaRq7K_6CYuOm2i7IhkR_9_J_n1hgZTLjha061QLkDLD4JXN3t_DG62WDWVr0CZwFbE9UBunILJj6fjqlXU9A/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-12-02-11h42m57s503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFxXzRlfnT7JWaYxgSYLy2udm0yWsAkNA-ycHGvexleX5ttkmAgRs2XA__FvVVvGH_EViA1i-6MVkYls_fvl4VcdbHuQ_Jxgf_ME1wUaRq7K_6CYuOm2i7IhkR_9_J_n1hgZTLjha061QLkDLD4JXN3t_DG62WDWVr0CZwFbE9UBunILJj6fjqlXU9A/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-12-02-11h42m57s503.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div> </div><div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: normal;">As things start to get complicated on the island, Alexios begins an investigation with Herodotos, which reaches a crucial point when, after all available info is gathered, it becomes clear that one of the two brothers is a traitor. Eventually Mestor is exposed, and it is only then that Theodoros comes to his senses and confesses to Herodotos that he always felt bitter and disappointed after the latter decided to leave Samos and set on his travels, leaving Theodoros behind, and it is implied that maybe Mestor kept this feud going while Herodotos was away by never letting Theodoros forget about their brother's decision. Although Mestor is not exactly evil in a literal sense, still his act of betrayal puts him on the direct opposite extreme of Herodotos, who loves his homeland and his country deeply and would do anything to aid them.</span><b><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Different perceptions of duty and morality</b></span></div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><b>Alexios and Stentor</b><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the course of the story, Alexios comes across a surprise when he bumps onto Stentor, a young soldier whom his father adopted when he was just a boy, after losing his original family. Stentor may be stubborn and egocentric and hate Alexios with a venom at the beginning, yet he adores his stepfather and this is something that counts a lot for him, as it apparently happens to be his weak spot. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HEEeitE_8NB0OzUq_XLn6rIjwSlXw8bXkQ92dbXnLV5YZGPBA__0qiK81u55OVAVrNSU5T_mfOy7Mp5stWKiPwYTEh46om7X_7xvKOhg76GoVvXgZaIku_J_2CIWtEVkxSVS9_YsIsVl3S3JAwPQIDztpZZJ8WDO5wUe8xHFzmGOCGAp-6deSHa0zw/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-17h29m41s848.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HEEeitE_8NB0OzUq_XLn6rIjwSlXw8bXkQ92dbXnLV5YZGPBA__0qiK81u55OVAVrNSU5T_mfOy7Mp5stWKiPwYTEh46om7X_7xvKOhg76GoVvXgZaIku_J_2CIWtEVkxSVS9_YsIsVl3S3JAwPQIDztpZZJ8WDO5wUe8xHFzmGOCGAp-6deSHa0zw/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-17h29m41s848.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">During a most crucial confrontation between him and Alexios, their father's unexpected appearance and his words towards Stentor are enough to make him have a change of heart and potentially bring out his better self. Alexios on the other hand does look like he feels a bit sorry for Stentor, as in some way he kind of understands his reactions, and is ready to give reconciliation a chance when the time comes. Both Alexios and Stentor have a deep and strong sense of duty, but their perception of it is quite different: Stentor is blindly faithful to his duty and he refuses to be a bit more flexible and open his mind, while for Alexios, duty is not strictly one thing, as what he has to do every time depends a lot on several other factors that he always takes into consideration before taking action.</p><p><b>Lykaon and Agave</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRtvYn9C_onoDfdfk_KoLV1-BjPyv2NCGpOpKHGauwGaaPPA8PnSXQQAQhqsS5SFY4zgL-7IsboNOA-UnvPvPzh-zZR09jCGkoCa3RipR1PeauW32Wb9H9l0_CjLZqnDtYCjvc-joR1paBHiD_Fcpcpn1MIcArg8yp_Q8dDt5mF9pzXWJ8GdlKJzjtA/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-11-30-13h23m37s534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRtvYn9C_onoDfdfk_KoLV1-BjPyv2NCGpOpKHGauwGaaPPA8PnSXQQAQhqsS5SFY4zgL-7IsboNOA-UnvPvPzh-zZR09jCGkoCa3RipR1PeauW32Wb9H9l0_CjLZqnDtYCjvc-joR1paBHiD_Fcpcpn1MIcArg8yp_Q8dDt5mF9pzXWJ8GdlKJzjtA/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-11-30-13h23m37s534.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Lykaon is the physician whom you meet in the Chora of Delphi, and he looks like a sweet and kind young man who cares for his patients and people in general. Lykaon is good-mannered and gentle and he seems to be very sentimental and sensitive, which makes the situation where he finds himself rather tough. His grandmother, Praxithea, used to be an oracle at Delphi in her youth, and was one of the series of eloquent women that the Cult had "prophesying" exactly what they ordered, making people believe that it was actually the gods that spoke through her. From her position as an oracle, Praxithea was forced to give false prophecies for years, endangering and dooming many people all over Greece. Having discovered this, Lykaon is unable to find peace and he feels that his duty is to kill his grandmother in order to restore justice. But because he is a good person, he finds it extremely difficult to commit murder, and decides to kill Praxithea peacefully by giving her a large dose of mandrake, otherwise a medicinal plant but a poison when given in big quantities, so that he can do his duty and not have too much remorse about it. Still, as the time approaches for the deed to be done, he feels less and less inclined to proceed and asks Alexios for moral support. In a twist of the story, however, it is revealed that Praxithea was in fact the oracle who gave Alexios's
family the fatal prophecy about Kassandra's god-requested execution years ago, a revelation that unavoidably has Alexios get much more personally involved in the case.<br /></p><div></div><div></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzCA1DgBxQsLBL65pX7cQOYbVmmvWVTi07i3tv5AQuoBvdN240n59kr9dPCpzdxJXd4HrVZDOTEg0PTi5e40rE1HOFe75ENZnqui8z_Rhs5yxavCaTHd_Hxjy-gA5DHRvUW9t88CuKJ5C_imXrVRCqTDlt1jEDXqJTcjxDQWeXXSsDrYmkqn6SN2zPA/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-11-30-13h23m00s940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzCA1DgBxQsLBL65pX7cQOYbVmmvWVTi07i3tv5AQuoBvdN240n59kr9dPCpzdxJXd4HrVZDOTEg0PTi5e40rE1HOFe75ENZnqui8z_Rhs5yxavCaTHd_Hxjy-gA5DHRvUW9t88CuKJ5C_imXrVRCqTDlt1jEDXqJTcjxDQWeXXSsDrYmkqn6SN2zPA/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-11-30-13h23m00s940.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: normal;">While Lykaon has to fight with his own conscience and finds it rather hard to bring himself together and do what he thinks is morally just, his sister Agave has a quite different perception of how all this should be dealt with. She too feels that their grandmother had done wrong and should be punished somehow, but she does not want to let Lykaon get blood on his hands. When bandits hired by the Cult of Kosmos arrive to kidnap Praxithea in order to kill her later, Agave does nothing to stop them and even allows them to take her away, because she feels this is the perfect chance for her and Lykaon to get rid of their grandmother without having to resort to something nasty themselves. Agave's reactions are a bit contradicting, though; on the one hand she refuses to let Lykaon become a murderer, but on the other she doesn't seem to have the slightest regret for literally sending Praxithea to her death. Although she never considered harming her grandmother herself, she feels relieved when someone else unexpectedly releases her from the burden of having to do something about it. Whereas Lykaon feels guilty even before attempting to commit murder, and when finally Praxithea is free and Alexios prevents him from killing her, he is relieved and makes peace with his conscience and his life.</span><b> <br /></b></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Victims of circumstance</b></span></p><p><b>Tekton and his unnamed brother</b><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc21XqPDwnkH3WfWAn3-HwShO7Hl51A8-2ojuZQTA_5jXz1j5vr6t36YPvxns1obgqR3WKDTEoMUm6DyGqCVZjZwZCdQAywEqgm04Pk7cbiSYervmobR6Dp2Ez9aUxmi9UHIBvTZcEBCGEobC5xlr1BFRbLpCPOe0CupBZVE9vkB5Wyg_U7BQyiXmYBw/s1920/ACOdyssey%202022-11-16%2001-09-45-686.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc21XqPDwnkH3WfWAn3-HwShO7Hl51A8-2ojuZQTA_5jXz1j5vr6t36YPvxns1obgqR3WKDTEoMUm6DyGqCVZjZwZCdQAywEqgm04Pk7cbiSYervmobR6Dp2Ez9aUxmi9UHIBvTZcEBCGEobC5xlr1BFRbLpCPOe0CupBZVE9vkB5Wyg_U7BQyiXmYBw/w640-h360/ACOdyssey%202022-11-16%2001-09-45-686.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Tekton is a young man whom you meet early in the story; he is stranded on a wrecked boat off the coast of Boeotia near a deserted island, and he asks you to go free his brother who had been captured by pirates and is held on another island nearby. Both Tekton and his brother are carpenters, and the brother especially never really liked the sea, but he had reluctantly accepted to take that trip with Tekton. The story does not end well for the two brothers, although Alexios manages to locate and free the captured one after killing his abductors. Unfortunately, he is already too exhausted and weak to be able to survive, and he dies minutes after he is set free. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoPAHpAEpdmmKOC65ibucpA3vlryGakONGMCHFPGz9qmF-fh8IPjkQQGiiwLKMcQ0q5EDirYIVCRIaZkWoI8pb-hOLfO71GsX9NmdhqXw6TFHUT1cZECqoVtdbIwOXbzpNGAbeyAZRH-vvx3syb3fC4vFIJZrfmo_AHU6EefTzOo2h-E_B9smQf5c1w/s1920/ACOdyssey%202022-11-16%2001-15-23-527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoPAHpAEpdmmKOC65ibucpA3vlryGakONGMCHFPGz9qmF-fh8IPjkQQGiiwLKMcQ0q5EDirYIVCRIaZkWoI8pb-hOLfO71GsX9NmdhqXw6TFHUT1cZECqoVtdbIwOXbzpNGAbeyAZRH-vvx3syb3fC4vFIJZrfmo_AHU6EefTzOo2h-E_B9smQf5c1w/w640-h360/ACOdyssey%202022-11-16%2001-15-23-527.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Tekton is so connected with his brother that if you lie to him about his
death, he will get very angry and leave in a fury. Whereas if you are
honest with him and tell him that his brother did not make it, he will
mourn deeply, but will accept your job offer, finding a new purpose in
life.</div></div><div><b> <br /></b></div><div><b>Solon and Ide</b></div><div><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another case of similarly ill-fated siblings is that of Solon and little Ide. Upon arriving on the island of Lemnos in order to kill a local Cultist, Alexios finds out that his good friend Barnabas has a nephew there, Neleus, who is an aspiring athlete. As it turns out, Neleus is very ill, as are several other athletes on Lemnos and Thasos, some of whom additionally disappear under mysterious circumstances.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSvbJHHW7V-Cha3TSqo0Jz2kRzI_izt-yRWfdXEAVTCxH9QLhQ3h3g72zn3Ye9gxhymoJnHkBwz8xCIVQHNTRjy1utjgNnqsh5vHxh1GymRXZtX6v0yVJlBFMPe0YOQWxx8bkv3X-8QEdG9z7Sp_pFA-Lhl-GaQgTrUkPzhQMofd52Oa3--b2OGJvBw/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-11-30-13h25m28s275.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSvbJHHW7V-Cha3TSqo0Jz2kRzI_izt-yRWfdXEAVTCxH9QLhQ3h3g72zn3Ye9gxhymoJnHkBwz8xCIVQHNTRjy1utjgNnqsh5vHxh1GymRXZtX6v0yVJlBFMPe0YOQWxx8bkv3X-8QEdG9z7Sp_pFA-Lhl-GaQgTrUkPzhQMofd52Oa3--b2OGJvBw/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-11-30-13h25m28s275.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">While investigating the case, Alexios first bumps onto Solon who used to be one of those athletes, but now is working at a marble quarry. What is curious though is that he is in a bad mental and physical state, he doesn't have the appearance of an athlete at all, and he looks a lot older than his actual age. As the case unravels with its chilling details, it turns out that the Cult of Kosmos is in fact behind the aforementioned disappearances, as they have set up a cunning plan to recruit new soldiers: one of their generals regularly visits the local gymnasium of Thasos, where he picks the strongest and most talented students, subsequently luring them to the house of a wealthy resident with promises of entertainment of all kinds. There, the owner of the house, under the Cult's orders, offers the athletes a special wine which gets them too drunk to have resistances, then leads them to a secret cave where a doctor, hired by the Cult, gives them a tonic that makes them extremely strong. While they are still under the influence of both the wine and the tonic, they are abducted and brainwashed, turning into killing machines. In some cases, however, the tonic does not work and has severe side-effects, resulting in the athletes getting seriously sick, like Neleus, unable to go back to their activities. The luckiest ones end up workers at the quarry, like Solon, but some of them unfortunately die. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HJqXhQ_R_zB9ANz6bjBeg8UsYHOQnpjYo1QhGfgb2np9T-L7ZFrVCmTJV_tFcZsCat0AT-QDT3ADtbs2ZU5rXdKpK3pYKuG0C9PQ2C0AjP2lWyD6b1kCW-qfIbuyE4rmnNzg_jZHEnq1sy6pcUGR0HOY-Hb2MaPW1mILn8rJSqcUo1Y46Co6aLvGxA/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-11-30-13h26m01s696.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HJqXhQ_R_zB9ANz6bjBeg8UsYHOQnpjYo1QhGfgb2np9T-L7ZFrVCmTJV_tFcZsCat0AT-QDT3ADtbs2ZU5rXdKpK3pYKuG0C9PQ2C0AjP2lWyD6b1kCW-qfIbuyE4rmnNzg_jZHEnq1sy6pcUGR0HOY-Hb2MaPW1mILn8rJSqcUo1Y46Co6aLvGxA/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-11-30-13h26m01s696.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unaware of all this, Ide has however managed to get somewhere while investigating on her own, and realized that there is a connection between the disappearing athletes and the gymnasium. When Alexios comes across her, he promises to look further into the case, and he learns from the guymnasium's trainer how the Cult's plan actually works. Although he is able to elimitate the Cult's forces on Thasos and Lemnos and save Neleus by providing him with the doctor's antidote, Alexios does not manage to save Solon, whom Ide eventually finds dead in the quarry. Ide is clearly a very caring person who loves her brother dearly and would do anything for him. Unfortunately she is too young to be able to deal with the forces of the Cult, and she was too late in discovering that her brother had actually been at the quarry all along.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><b>Ankos and Araxis </b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqr13S-RufeZ0Q8EjyH1HvRo7wAQSWeQQX9dpNWNLtjYPP8nrWXjXYttGnJIalxjDkBc7LObRdZG3RquydpJDwSKc3MkZ6DxqM7o4Vy0rtOh74fZiwEuos2rbahFjV5KZh98L6Bia7zuuEkJd7ne2byW7AK8czK9MVsVHuTw5KotfR_HO2Ws26pBILlA/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-17h18m22s631.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqr13S-RufeZ0Q8EjyH1HvRo7wAQSWeQQX9dpNWNLtjYPP8nrWXjXYttGnJIalxjDkBc7LObRdZG3RquydpJDwSKc3MkZ6DxqM7o4Vy0rtOh74fZiwEuos2rbahFjV5KZh98L6Bia7zuuEkJd7ne2byW7AK8czK9MVsVHuTw5KotfR_HO2Ws26pBILlA/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-17h18m22s631.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Ankos
and Araxis are two minor characters that appear in an important
questline which leads to the reveal of a Cultist in Krete. They both
seem rather naif and gullible, which was why they decided to take part
in the hunt for the supposed Minotaur that the Cult had set up in Lato
in order to lure, kill and rob aspirant warriors. Although imposing in
appearance, they are a bit dim-witted and obviously their big size does
not correspond to a respective physical strength or nimbleness. They look like they get along well together, although each one of them thinks he is braver and stronger than the other. On the way to the false Minotaur's lair, the conversation between the two brothers reveals that neither of them actually ever wanted to be warriors, let alone brave warriors. They were bakers who were lured into taking on an adventure that would potentially make them rich and famous, but in reality they never really cared much for either wealth or fame. <br /></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXFuz-4Iobgn_nDMW-3bve3BvkvpbBJJDfpqOt_cdnRWI7ikE7oxlcbKJJQkWf5WPNdvzXVmXrR2341rbnRP6On7IyxS3AZXUJBaQPCsb9iwhyk3egKEUrKITezIBYMHO0VxKja9Ftn8eVBINJ0DINdzw9_QNP4W3pID0QwgsTM8bfR4wsVExZfQpeg/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-17h18m30s194.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXFuz-4Iobgn_nDMW-3bve3BvkvpbBJJDfpqOt_cdnRWI7ikE7oxlcbKJJQkWf5WPNdvzXVmXrR2341rbnRP6On7IyxS3AZXUJBaQPCsb9iwhyk3egKEUrKITezIBYMHO0VxKja9Ftn8eVBINJ0DINdzw9_QNP4W3pID0QwgsTM8bfR4wsVExZfQpeg/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-17h18m30s194.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p></div><p></p><b></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Although Ankos and Araxis are victims of circumstance as well, they surprisingly escape their imminent doom by deserting the Minotaur battlefield at just the last minute. The ominous atmosphere and terrifying sounds coming from the supposed monster's cave are enough to make them run away in panic, and although this could be viewed as an act of cowardice from their part, in reality it is survival and knowing when to back off, even if it is out of mere primal instinct. <br /></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Siblinghood as a holy bond <br /></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Timon and Abreas</b><br /></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">You come across Timon at the port of Orchomenos, and he looks like a rather wealthy and respectable young man who can also play the lyre quite well. What catches your attention is that he is playing a very sad tune, which comes to contrast with his overall meticulous appearance: his clothes look expensive and he is wearing a golden leaf necklace around his neck. As it turns out, Timon had a brother, Abreas, with whom he was very close. They used to train together as kids, and most probably had kept that habit as adults too. In the past, they would train against two girls who were cousins and grew up to be quite fierce warriors - and not only that. One of them, Deianeira, became an Olympic champion and now also happens to be a Cultist. Her cousin, Astra, does not seem to be involved with the Cult, but due to her close connection to Deianeira, she is always on her side, supporting and aiding her in everything, and thanks to Deianeira, she has several Cultist guards watching over her at her training grounds. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUi9XodmBmkG1AqNIgKMTm-rnHdRakuTEsuMLgr6XMTR5HDWmoknDzvamhHbJV7qZoNJch0lSFIekn-S_XaYNE5iuzWUblQEAfrjoZx-PE9vPK2D7XW0ZJC6VhaR7ooTkPgiZ7lMWVnIXIqU5PTosV4Xp75Qk03WHvZyrpaZwXa8Tzi9c84XtjD-FZ0A/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-16h59m05s186.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUi9XodmBmkG1AqNIgKMTm-rnHdRakuTEsuMLgr6XMTR5HDWmoknDzvamhHbJV7qZoNJch0lSFIekn-S_XaYNE5iuzWUblQEAfrjoZx-PE9vPK2D7XW0ZJC6VhaR7ooTkPgiZ7lMWVnIXIqU5PTosV4Xp75Qk03WHvZyrpaZwXa8Tzi9c84XtjD-FZ0A/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-16h59m05s186.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In spite of the obvious connection between the two pairs, at some point recently Deianeira killed Abreas for revenge because he found out about her illegal activities connected to the Cult and exposed her. Now Timon, unable to get over his brother's death while knowing who the culprit was, asks Alexios to kill Astra so as to make Deianeira, who loved her cousin as dearly as Timon loved his brother, feel the same pain of loss. He also asks him to take back a necklace that he had made for his brother and which Astra had stolen from his dead body. The story of Timon and Abreas, albeit with brief, is one that stays with you, not only because of its emotional depth but also because Timon, like nearly all the secondary characters in this game, makes a strong impression with how heart-breakingly expresses his sadness for Abreas's loss and how much he misses his brother.<br /></p><b>Makarios and Theoros</b></div><div><b> </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWXGCiwS6jGwci875mco0Z4YzZlOVndce6SnpGH8ZQFCHqWHxL5M5hIJq13mKGXile2XP7IpId5f3wgCEgaPFkFyzAN1NGW5nsQag3RTwd91fr00JPl-KXeIZJV_piaunO4yR8_I7E3tDEB3CHrXTvDX_hzIvxbZv90cq-hvVLvP00yIKn6LSBIGU5Q/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-17h33m28s758.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWXGCiwS6jGwci875mco0Z4YzZlOVndce6SnpGH8ZQFCHqWHxL5M5hIJq13mKGXile2XP7IpId5f3wgCEgaPFkFyzAN1NGW5nsQag3RTwd91fr00JPl-KXeIZJV_piaunO4yR8_I7E3tDEB3CHrXTvDX_hzIvxbZv90cq-hvVLvP00yIKn6LSBIGU5Q/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-17h33m28s758.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><b> <br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Makario<b>s </b>and<b> </b>Theoros are two Spartan brothers, sons of Xanthe, the magistrate of Pitana. Makarios is about to join Agoge, the Spartan training routine, while Theoros has mysteriously disappeared from the training territory. While accompanying Makarios on his way to meet the trainer, Alexios has the chance to talk with the boy who seems rather enthusiastic about the initiation of his training, and apparently doesn't care that it is going to be extremely tough and demanding, because he has idolized his older brother and wants to live up to his example. He is not intimidated even when the trainer makes it clear to him that life in the Agoge is not going to be easy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQI1mpr5t3L9KO_hYy45Xy9iZa7mxLzxWSeUtDxmISRW5XybiYQzM_XfodGslEQ8JJVj53xVqDwwZ9CnPSjtFiQJckgOnj4DvxPtYPA7WsH1koOY6gt5XUG6yeiKecYvwDlOzbJn24o6OppfeHrm5fez2VfkbEHmMmDbaw2FskYCbeQekcXj7oKkmnw/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-17h33m50s063.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQI1mpr5t3L9KO_hYy45Xy9iZa7mxLzxWSeUtDxmISRW5XybiYQzM_XfodGslEQ8JJVj53xVqDwwZ9CnPSjtFiQJckgOnj4DvxPtYPA7WsH1koOY6gt5XUG6yeiKecYvwDlOzbJn24o6OppfeHrm5fez2VfkbEHmMmDbaw2FskYCbeQekcXj7oKkmnw/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-17h33m50s063.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Soon after, the trainer informs Alexios that he had sent Theoros off with another student on a camp nearby to have them test their survival skills, but neither of them has returned. The investigation uncovers that the other student had been murdered, and subsequently leads Alexios to a cave on the mountains beyond the training grounds, where Theoros is held hostage by a group of bandits. Apparently the bandits attacked the camp, and while the other student tried to fight them and paid with his life, Theoros didn't have the courage to resist and he was abducted. When Alexios finds and frees him, he confesses that he is very worried about his little brother because he feels Makarios is too young to undergo the hard training and the many dangers at the Agoge. It is very clear though that he underestimated his little brother who is prepared for everything. By reminding Theoros how much Makarios loves him and looks up to him, Alexios manages to boost up his morale and make him gain back his courage.<br /></p><p></p><p><b>Xenia and Gotarzes</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The gigantesque pirate lady of Keos may look intimidating and ruthless,
but she too has a sensitive side, which is reflected in her relationship
with her equally gigantesque brother. Xenia is smart, brave and
effective in everything she does, the exact contrary of her brother who,
despite his imposing size, is clumsy and timid, and practically unable
to be in control of his crew. Alexios bumps onto Gotarzes accidentally
while on a treasure hunt and saves him from his angry sailors who
apparently have taken advantage of his weak character in order to
overthrow him. <b><br /></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3MOE8of7nv8jLk108BzDusTQ6cnZQfviyP9ciG0wSdLTr3TO1QQEgAV2ua9n3g5vs6VIb05J2uTWJ4K4d8bbRb3_Xvqf0wj4ixYizFF1spBk-o_ZULWnMRMErl11MgaLCxeoqDjWvHicir12knmqahesst4FpmJXlfCHXms8oziapZYYiVXnrgQUJA/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-17h02m54s381.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3MOE8of7nv8jLk108BzDusTQ6cnZQfviyP9ciG0wSdLTr3TO1QQEgAV2ua9n3g5vs6VIb05J2uTWJ4K4d8bbRb3_Xvqf0wj4ixYizFF1spBk-o_ZULWnMRMErl11MgaLCxeoqDjWvHicir12knmqahesst4FpmJXlfCHXms8oziapZYYiVXnrgQUJA/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-17h02m54s381.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">After taking him back to Keos, Alexios learns that he is Xenia's brother, albeit far more different than her. Xenia seems to be more than aware of her brother's incapability, yet it is obvious that she loves him and cares for him deeply, as she is relieved to see him return alive. Although the two siblings differ so much from each other, their relationship is very simple and crystal clear, mainly due to Gotarzes's naivety. </p><p></p><p><b>Periktione and Thyia </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Periktione is the magistrate of Lalaia, the beautiful mountainous village of Parnassos, which now is inhabited only by women and children since all men have gone to war. Having to deal with a very tough situation as her village is constantly under threat, Periktione hires Alexios to help her defend her people against enemy forces. Her sister, Thyia, is a feisty warrior who wants the best for her homeland, just like Periktione does, but her approach on the matter is quite different from her sister's. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-S0NSQNblK3dU8EUYG5bWc1Mn1nlRn2cAHKw_OVoNwwJl-wCMqGm0x1JWHeofADYgvFQ7hpYH6OdTXwM52gtAY67up9OIzllv0lqgjAauHFFcI1eCiQgy9f-G0Q2ZcZkI-RpP6zXCpSxO1heHOQrvk-UqnkXGdsY1s1KE-ZYa3GocMyWrhisHmWbKw/s1920/20221116010046_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-S0NSQNblK3dU8EUYG5bWc1Mn1nlRn2cAHKw_OVoNwwJl-wCMqGm0x1JWHeofADYgvFQ7hpYH6OdTXwM52gtAY67up9OIzllv0lqgjAauHFFcI1eCiQgy9f-G0Q2ZcZkI-RpP6zXCpSxO1heHOQrvk-UqnkXGdsY1s1KE-ZYa3GocMyWrhisHmWbKw/w640-h360/20221116010046_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">While Periktione suggest a more strategic defense by destroying the caches of their enemies, Thyia believes that it is better to attack and kill their spies. Although strategy works most of the times, in this case Thyia's violent plan proves to be the best defense for the village as it eventually saves not only the place itself but also Periktione's life. The two sisters differ a lot as far as mentality and lifestyle are concerned but it is obvious that they love each other very much and their debates are essentially and deep down centered around which would be the best and most effective way to keep each other safe at any cost. <br /></p><p><b>Timotheos and Lykinos</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Timotheos and Lykinos are the Korinthian brothers whose misfortune has put them in dire straits, as they are at the mercy of a group of vicious bandits with whom their recently deceased father used to have dealings before being brutally murdered by them. Alexios first comes across Lykinos by chance while passing by the bandit camp where the young man is held hostage. After rescuing him and taking him back to his family home, he learns that Lykinos is an aspiring poet who has just returned from Athens where he had been to find his luck. His brother, Timotheos, is a soldier who has serious post-war trauma, something that affects his attitude as well as his relationship with Lykinos. <b><br /></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oPeMs4myUAhDnvdpRRHeZyZswBR-ET4FH-FXXryNgCBgYv-DY4Xh1V_5AGr1W_NL6PXLLwXV3838gQoswlt6JCHw-dKzBpVkBkTM-T8kWKDWOTdipixrPpXtBSDs25ilJQP4ATOdWpkx1f-ON4A4vn5zQEa_ZO9LG4tAX8wjnzk4e0Fr3UJqlTJWSA/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-16h33m45s717.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oPeMs4myUAhDnvdpRRHeZyZswBR-ET4FH-FXXryNgCBgYv-DY4Xh1V_5AGr1W_NL6PXLLwXV3838gQoswlt6JCHw-dKzBpVkBkTM-T8kWKDWOTdipixrPpXtBSDs25ilJQP4ATOdWpkx1f-ON4A4vn5zQEa_ZO9LG4tAX8wjnzk4e0Fr3UJqlTJWSA/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-11-15-16h33m45s717.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p></div><div></div><div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Initially there seems to be a very big gap between the two brothers, as they apparently had grown sentimentally apart during the time that Lykinos was away. Additionally, Lykinos's artistic ventures don't seem to be much appreciated by his family circle, as both his brother and his late father were soldiers and both their interests and their way of life were a lot different from his. Surprisingly enough, it is Lykinos who asks Alexios to avenge the death of his father by killing the bandits that murdered him. Timotheos on the other hand becomes furious when he learns about this turn of events, as his nasty experience in the war has made him refrain from all kinds of violence. As it turns out, all the brothers needed to do was to accept each other for what they were, realizing that since they lost their father, they had nobody else in the world except for each other. The close bond that they have in spite of their differences is shown more clearly if Alexios romances both of them and in the end choses the one over the other: in that case they both get angry with him and leave, clearly feeling betrayed but with a common destiny.<b><br /></b></div><div><b> </b></div><div><b>Herodotos and Theodoros</b></div><div><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Theodoros is Herodotos's biological brother, a writer as well, who holds a grudge against him because years ago the historian set off for a life of traveling and adventuring, leaving Theodoros behind. Theodoros is a good person and he cares for his brother, but all this time that they were apart, he couldn't let go of the feeling of bitterness associated with Herodotos's choice of living. When his brother returns to Samos to pay respects to their dead parents, Theodoros greets him with contempt and anger, but
as it is revealed that Samos is under threat and that their adopted
brother, Mestor, is greatly responsible for this since he had been a spy
in favor of the Persian Empire against his homeland, Theodoros realizes
his misjudgement and reconciles with Herodotos.</div><div><b> </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynt6fX7LlhagU07dVZeIS3iec5W7PB86epq-Gwhw-Jl-2n0SDaNbLDGSsFKuYDjcT0CpUU7melWRqMNHuahXcDYrhWD7fK3TcQqssR4MptWI-oJfOkll7n-3Van9UKcBMfdHvfYdTwTpp_Z83diaylzfxE_yQt-yZcu2VrOdeg4zQrQfJ77OdSETtiw/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-12-02-20h16m53s376.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynt6fX7LlhagU07dVZeIS3iec5W7PB86epq-Gwhw-Jl-2n0SDaNbLDGSsFKuYDjcT0CpUU7melWRqMNHuahXcDYrhWD7fK3TcQqssR4MptWI-oJfOkll7n-3Van9UKcBMfdHvfYdTwTpp_Z83diaylzfxE_yQt-yZcu2VrOdeg4zQrQfJ77OdSETtiw/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-12-02-20h16m53s376.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Although the two brothers seem to have a lot in common, like the talent for writing and the love for their land, it is implied that Theodoros would never really want to leave Samos, in spite of what he says. Herodotos on the other hand always had the charisma to look further than most people, and his restless spirit would eventually urge him to a life of adventuring and getting to know new lands and people. It is exactly that difference that is essentially the core of their bond, as they complement each other this way, something that they both realize when life gives them a second chance to find and get to know each other anew.<b><br /></b></p>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-48085013775078172092022-11-14T14:43:00.012-08:002022-11-22T08:12:54.135-08:00Rosemary's Dad<div><div><p style="text-align: justify;"><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGHldrZBmmYIRHoM7euxcwhA-UczBwNGQ5tEcMVC45KZq9hr4VwzcltJOJRcVsFokXpaNdyLPQyMTPA-6fFITXpthgcoJnuKpdeZTImYFyCGeCXUC0-Ka0ySuap3aLWPVz_KwgJBa5kensYMFdDE1D01mlDXa4azHUx_lKuhAJPhm_BQ_BOngrlRkPw/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-11-14-17h43m54s944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGHldrZBmmYIRHoM7euxcwhA-UczBwNGQ5tEcMVC45KZq9hr4VwzcltJOJRcVsFokXpaNdyLPQyMTPA-6fFITXpthgcoJnuKpdeZTImYFyCGeCXUC0-Ka0ySuap3aLWPVz_KwgJBa5kensYMFdDE1D01mlDXa4azHUx_lKuhAJPhm_BQ_BOngrlRkPw/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-11-14-17h43m54s944.jpg" width="640" /></a></i></div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Shadows of Rose</i> was released recently, as a complementary content for <i>Resident Evil: Village</i>, which, upon ending, informed us that "the father's story is now done", presumably opening the path for the daughter, Rosemary, although whether she will indeed become the lead of one or more games in the future is quite unclear, just as unclear is her role and presence in her own DLC story. Rosemary Winters was introduced to us abruptly as a baby at the start of <i>Village</i>, and we also had the chance to see her as a teenager in the game's ending cutscene. In <i>Shadows of Rose</i>, we get to play as her in third person, while following her in an attempt to get rid of the powers that she had inherited from Ethan. To do so, she needs to mentally travel to another realm where she will have to face monsters of various kinds and finally come face to face with Miranda herself. </div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawd42UmRyVBCeDi-uyBJpmBhq5plfxqsEbFEatFSN0anQHH-lvOzyFAVx-N0QCXzlYp1DEa-IcODmFu06sr1gIgHeJpa98_bUMX4QHRlqrnzxxoulD4bwDrlY5yK9OBVY_ceB9pOo4Cnfe_ukjt440NrzHSLU1TzIIAiZaMbQXFkiVI1L8Xn5LVE6OA/s1920/20221115001944_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawd42UmRyVBCeDi-uyBJpmBhq5plfxqsEbFEatFSN0anQHH-lvOzyFAVx-N0QCXzlYp1DEa-IcODmFu06sr1gIgHeJpa98_bUMX4QHRlqrnzxxoulD4bwDrlY5yK9OBVY_ceB9pOo4Cnfe_ukjt440NrzHSLU1TzIIAiZaMbQXFkiVI1L8Xn5LVE6OA/w640-h360/20221115001944_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rosemary, as Lord Heisenberg informed Ethan in the main game, is supposed to be an extremely powerful kid, but what her powers are and what exactly they can do, is as vague as her father's in-game face. When, early in the DCL story, she realizes that she can actually freeze enemies, she gets shocked, which means that up to that point she was unable to do such a thing, which in turn inevitably makes you wonder where exactly her infamous powers did lie until then. In reality, they seem to be literally asleep for most
part of the game, and as she is struggling to survive in the most
hostile environments, she moreover needs about half a dozen amplifiers,
plus the final boost from Ethan, to help her powers reach their full
level. This basically means that, in her normal life, her so-called powers must have been rather limited and if she had never traveled to that
realm, she would have never been able to develop them and no one, not even her, would have been able to know what she was capable of, something that almost cancels Heisenberg's earlier comment about her. To add insult to injury, she cannot run to save her life (literally). You would expect a slender and swift girl in her mid-teens to be running as fast as the wind but no, why would she? There are sequences where she is hunted by face-eating monsters or evil mannequins or hammer-yielding giants and she can do no more than drag her feet so painfully slowly that you may find yourself desperately looking for a fast-forward button on your controller or keyboard.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBoIYcEn-fE6A7ka0W5G1BCdKKZ9d7s8H-zyJZfCJrHXXPVJUw3lgaruaZw5_aBdZ-z_AyzYdR04QmTo5Q9k7ZBRSv-VtPcDha6m9x81SR27iBDZHrE0sghWmkwRi8Xxlfw8aeaTgYQ7WxJvhcJ2ULJXG-24wajcwoaIDZoEz8COLVTDCMQMckz6l9Q/s1920/20221115002515_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBoIYcEn-fE6A7ka0W5G1BCdKKZ9d7s8H-zyJZfCJrHXXPVJUw3lgaruaZw5_aBdZ-z_AyzYdR04QmTo5Q9k7ZBRSv-VtPcDha6m9x81SR27iBDZHrE0sghWmkwRi8Xxlfw8aeaTgYQ7WxJvhcJ2ULJXG-24wajcwoaIDZoEz8COLVTDCMQMckz6l9Q/w640-h360/20221115002515_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">That said, the DLC suffers from both technical and fiction-related flaws. From the technical aspect, apart from the extremely slow movement that Rosemary has throughout the whole story (she is even slower than Lara Croft in <i>The Angel of Darkness</i>, and honestly I never thought this was even possible but as it turns out, it is), she is rather clumsly with guns - which may be partly natural since she is a civilian, but growing up under the custody of Chris Redfield with several agents in the training constantly around her, you would expect her to have learned a thing or two. To make things even worse, because she reaches the full level of her powers just before the final boss fight, this is exactly where you get to learn her new moves. It is such a waste of good gameplay options, since you get to use said new moves against the final boss only, minutes before the story reaches its conclusion.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73UyWZKw2ewlrrnfAYEA94dF4IeVU9GRw7Yx7Jzbn0ERQknxDAvFxJBrjzETLUrPBPGQZ_CfNiIdsMmrNG0_xG8C8WKfCcdxLJMwH7p3MkfF9pO_cse9U6LM6lFn66wGZvnvKupC-1pdwJwIvurdPi3ZniZ11mw3MHYJgBAszyPXZu8DvetZObLOsAQ/s1920/20221115004020_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73UyWZKw2ewlrrnfAYEA94dF4IeVU9GRw7Yx7Jzbn0ERQknxDAvFxJBrjzETLUrPBPGQZ_CfNiIdsMmrNG0_xG8C8WKfCcdxLJMwH7p3MkfF9pO_cse9U6LM6lFn66wGZvnvKupC-1pdwJwIvurdPi3ZniZ11mw3MHYJgBAszyPXZu8DvetZObLOsAQ/w640-h360/20221115004020_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Fiction-wise, the story has several plot holes, and in fact <i>Shadows of Rose</i> was not exactly a necessary addition. The fact that Ethan was the one to offer Rosemary the strongest boost, basically means that he was super powerful himself. Mind you, Miranda had ripped his heart off and he got caught in the grand explosion that he caused himself in the village, yet he was still able to manifest in Miranda's domain, just like she did, therefore he was nearly as powerful as Miranda was. This combined with the regenerative powers that he already had from the mold, made him super-humanly strong, practically nullifying his demise in the main game. Although the DLC is titled after Rosemary, it is actually Ethan who carries the strongest part, both metaphorically and literally, while Rosemary is way too weak until the finale, where her powers may look impressive, but the whole sequence feels more like a quick time event and less like an actual interactive boss fight.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZTvY3yxuOq2qlSEiux045D2lF8u5Vba6o3rIRSDn1CQQi2XOkhtK45-ZlsErkxYWWKI_qv89piimDv-d3Yu7VDr18Z951B9QR1kVT0dG-0OE52NiEfBU1BlIn12CPTLzfXnVQmiXeoCf86kYtmgdPBltAtGmpuD1IrUeFoB9mQ2mMndPhsd3cURmVA/s1920/20221115004227_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZTvY3yxuOq2qlSEiux045D2lF8u5Vba6o3rIRSDn1CQQi2XOkhtK45-ZlsErkxYWWKI_qv89piimDv-d3Yu7VDr18Z951B9QR1kVT0dG-0OE52NiEfBU1BlIn12CPTLzfXnVQmiXeoCf86kYtmgdPBltAtGmpuD1IrUeFoB9mQ2mMndPhsd3cURmVA/w640-h360/20221115004227_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It would have been much more intriguing if, in the main game, we had Ethan, still unaware of his own powers at the start, interacting with those weird amplifiers and gradually becoming stronger, finally understanding that he is not an ordinary human being anymore; and then in that scene where Eveline reveals to him the shocking truth about his death, he would come to realize that he was actually superhuman, rising over all evil in the village and defeating Miranda in a most impressive way. If this was how the story unraveled, there would be practically no need for Rosemary's extra story, which feels nearly unnecessary anyway since she ends up with her powers not only intact but also boosted up, therefore we are back at point zero. The only essential part of the story is her meeting with Ethan, which could have easily been the most interesting plot point of the DLC and would have made our struggle worthwhile but sadly it is void of all emotion because, guess what: again we are unable to see Ethan's face or watch his reactions in what could have been one of the most touching, heartbreaking and memorable scenes of the whole saga. During the most crucial instances, his face is blocked by Rosemary's arm or his own arm, then we get to see his back while he is talking to his daughter, a scene that could have stayed with us forever but instead all we get is a bland-feeling dialogue because we can't even see a hint of Ethan's expressions as he is looking at and speaking to Rosemary.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh-AaaPKhZN3DpxNQZHU7pzqnwFdlGBWCxXlksw9h0IpoUFK4rI2737GC2xBXkpyLflV13DPSO-qQKalTsigMM-dzoJ56YH1EnzO-CcMBiZ-G28pXFmJ3wyDVsULsz0yciQmHwEcmrjhwgQdhoQuPd-2Vr3mkEkxB6x4PlNpwoBWmtKHFWgyOUcNPpg/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-11-14-17h44m57s643.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh-AaaPKhZN3DpxNQZHU7pzqnwFdlGBWCxXlksw9h0IpoUFK4rI2737GC2xBXkpyLflV13DPSO-qQKalTsigMM-dzoJ56YH1EnzO-CcMBiZ-G28pXFmJ3wyDVsULsz0yciQmHwEcmrjhwgQdhoQuPd-2Vr3mkEkxB6x4PlNpwoBWmtKHFWgyOUcNPpg/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-11-14-17h44m57s643.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other than all that, the DLC feels a lot like a superficial copy of <i>The Evil Within 2</i> at times, what with Rosemary traveling inside her gray matter via the mutamycete and the evil mastermind wanting to take advantage of the girl's powers. Also if you have read <i>Mexican Gothic</i>, the whole idea of the fungus that is "recording" people's memories will feel familiar to you. Even so, there are some really good sequences in the story, like the painting puzzle in the Castle and the whole House section which is very atmospheric and creepy, although the first half with the diorama puzzles is definitely its best part. The second section, which is basically an extended stealth hide-and-seek, feels and looks very interesting when it comes to avoiding the floating dolls (an intense sequence accompanied by a discreet, creepily beautiful music) but trying to escape the giant Mia mannequins is so exhausting due to Rosemary's slow-motion running, that it ends up more annoying than scary. And I really could have done without Eveline's hysterics. I also loved the Duke's new look, although it is unclear why he is so mean towards Rosemary, while he had been so helpful with Ethan.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfU3GIAGolksXl976EG3esf6jCP-POgyusiUgKHmcBAW0A-nPPxGUv4cWh0JJ4z_yCTswyaAAq_r8eLd6iQYL9Kg-ZdOKdH4ba7jESSf66AJU5jqR8kFguUe9xHA5EM-Sc8AytOPHut-D0T3I1nKrEhsMlMXJZuyBHdgodqHuhA4g0zG3mvzTT7uIMw/s1920/20221115002838_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfU3GIAGolksXl976EG3esf6jCP-POgyusiUgKHmcBAW0A-nPPxGUv4cWh0JJ4z_yCTswyaAAq_r8eLd6iQYL9Kg-ZdOKdH4ba7jESSf66AJU5jqR8kFguUe9xHA5EM-Sc8AytOPHut-D0T3I1nKrEhsMlMXJZuyBHdgodqHuhA4g0zG3mvzTT7uIMw/w640-h360/20221115002838_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Overall, <i>Shadows of Rose</i> does have its own merit, but it feels more like an unnecessary chore in relation with the main game. And I am not very sure if I will be interested in playing a possible future Resident Evil with Rosemary Winters as the main protagonist, because as much as I generally like her, she is too weak and indifferent as a character of fiction and lacks too much background to hold a story on her own. I would be more keen on playing a game with Jake Muller or Sherry Birkin as leads, for instance, who are not only strongly connected to the saga's core, but they still are literally and directly the new blood of the Resident Evil series.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">» My playthrough of "Shadows of Rose":</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/SHXn2HzJLVg" width="480"></iframe></div>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-70074079608176583712022-08-26T03:58:00.000-07:002022-08-26T03:58:15.739-07:00Mechanisms of Desire<p style="text-align: justify;">Continuing on the spicy path that this blog has taken lately, today I am going to elaborate a bit on the dark romantic aspect of relationships between characters, something that, surprisingly, is not a new thing in video games. As early as in 1995, <i>Gabriel Knight: The Beast Within</i> was maybe the first game to include such an element in its plot, which back then was particularly radical and innovative, given that the technical means were very few, and the ways to accompany a game with cutscenes were also rather limited. Regardless this didn't prevent the game's developing team to come up with a captivating story involving characters that since became iconic. The element of desire is quite prominent in the story, as I will analyze in a bit, and in a rather complex form, for that matter. I have also picked a few more select cases of characters who, like Gabriel, are not simply involved in the theme of desire, but are also deeply and dramatically affected by it in their attitude and mentality.<b></b></p><p><b>Desire disguised as confusion (Gabriel Knight in <i>Gabriel Knight: The Beast Within</i>)</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF-zRHDgDCw1x4ynR49S3P7ttBugnExdF4qHswhbwn3kEq1YhJ6BK8z0AffcIr7_Hl7QruSRznkgvw49ElWvyglA6akwiNxwBmD_c5-Cc9EZcs6SaSa8RiXn_4e5jK12JHK0bFyk03t_9mszZmINqXMsZzoLq3sIL98-dokvOs1H6yDLKekIIvmL1vg/s820/images_article_gabrielknight_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="820" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF-zRHDgDCw1x4ynR49S3P7ttBugnExdF4qHswhbwn3kEq1YhJ6BK8z0AffcIr7_Hl7QruSRznkgvw49ElWvyglA6akwiNxwBmD_c5-Cc9EZcs6SaSa8RiXn_4e5jK12JHK0bFyk03t_9mszZmINqXMsZzoLq3sIL98-dokvOs1H6yDLKekIIvmL1vg/w640-h360/images_article_gabrielknight_01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Like I mentioned above, Gabriel's case can be considered an archetypical story involving the theme of desire, as it belongs to a video game that was most probably the first one to address such a subject and in such a radical way. Gabriel is a consciously straight ladies' man, and his self-confidence on that matter is particularly high. All this is doomed to change when, while investigating of a series of murders, he meets the charming and mysterious Friedrich Von Glower, typically a Baron but in reality a werewolf of more than one hundred years old. Friedrich is instantly attracted by Gabriel who initially seems to be unaware of the situation, but as the story progresses, he gets smitten with Friedrich although this is something that he cannot even acknowledge at first.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">At a crucial turning point, however, he comes across Baron Von Zell, Friedrich's ex-lover whom Friedrich had turned into a werewolf during a moment of passion. Von Zell is the one responsible for the aforementioned murders, and while being hunted by Gabriel and Friedrich, he is shot dead, but not before managing to attack and bite Gabriel. Soon after, Gabriel starts to feel the effects, as he is slowly turning into a werewolf himself, something that he realizes and tries very hard to control and suppress. In a rather revealing scene, we can see him struggling with himself in physical and emotional pain as his inner werewolf struggles to prevail as well. In reality, what Gabriel is truly trying to suppress is the desire that he is actually developing towards Friedrich which, allegorically, found a way to the surface after Friedrich's ex bit him. Gabriel is in deep confusion because he is unable to admit and accept this unprecedented feeling, which also happens to be very strong and difficult to handle. Gabriel's inner struggle is in fact a battle with his own feelings and that part of himself that has awakened all of a sudden without him being able to control it at all. At the same time, however, he is struggling to persuade himself that all this turmoil has to do with him slowly becoming a werewolf, but in his attempt to focus on that, he is merely highlighting more what is truly going on inside him.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b></b></p><p><b>Desire suppressed by denial (Jill Valentine in <i>Resident Evil 3 Remake</i>)</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjFc-Qm2CFFhoEj91RPdd_DKH5sSj9Y390qIAbVSDSiSwBXdIYL17DWBN7LMzM1iQwkLWS6UocprHvR0Wjw91KL-WBRz6RaN1WbH1OjDYUQW0144viPrdUA4DK74r0KcDYMBh3yJM_h7ZZAVVe4cAa6wsBX0fxPkrQYiME47gM-Agdhl4JQyLgr-gaw/s1280/vlcsnap-2021-01-13-00h26m44s277.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjFc-Qm2CFFhoEj91RPdd_DKH5sSj9Y390qIAbVSDSiSwBXdIYL17DWBN7LMzM1iQwkLWS6UocprHvR0Wjw91KL-WBRz6RaN1WbH1OjDYUQW0144viPrdUA4DK74r0KcDYMBh3yJM_h7ZZAVVe4cAa6wsBX0fxPkrQYiME47gM-Agdhl4JQyLgr-gaw/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2021-01-13-00h26m44s277.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The romantic aspect may not be particularly present in Resident Evil 3, but there still is a degree of electricity between Jill and Carlos, mostly filtered through admiration from his part, while Jill is rather prejudiced at first because Carlos belongs to a company that she knows is evil. As the story progresses, however, it becomes quite clear that Jill and Carlos are attracted to each other, something that Carlos shows almost directly, what with his attitude towards Jill and his choice of words when it comes to flirting her, albeit a bit awkwardly, and also given the tense circumstances they find themselves in. But for Jill, things are not that simple; although Jill is a very "raw" character, in that she is honest, sincere and crystal-clear, she is quite secretive when it comes to expressing her feelings. As the events in the story develop and she starts to see that Carlos is honest and she actually begins to like him, it is not very easy for her to admit it, let alone express it with words to him. Moreover, Jill is a person who puts duty above all and who values her partners very highly; this is something that becomes very clear during her brief dialogue with Carlos after she leaves the power plant, when Carlos calls her "partner" and she replies with a rather bitter and cold "Not your partner", because, for her, comradeship is something sacred. Carlos, on the other hand, is always laid back, and doesn't seem to take anything else into account except for the fact that he likes her, and he is very specific and clear about this. After Jill witnesses Nikolai betraying his team and leaving Mikhail and her to die, her prejudice against Carlos disappears completely and it slowly becomes clear that she does care for him. Chances are, if she didn't know that he was a soldier of Umbrella, she would have allowed herself to realize that she actually did like him from the beginning, both as a person and as a man. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Even after all this happens, however, she is still in denial; being faithful to her mission and because her priority is the elimination of evil, she refuses to give room to her feelings while, subconsciously, trying to control them. After she is treated with the antidote and just as she is about to wake up, she has a nightmare during which Carlos gets in her room to inform her that everything is fine, but just then he begins to turn and he asks her to kill him. Jill cannot do it, of course, and a zombified Carlos attacks her, which is when she abruptly wakes up in anguish and confusion. The fact that, among all the people that she met in the course of the story, her subconscious decided to make Carlos attack her in a zombified state in her dream, can have a dual interpretation: on the one hand, being forced to work with Carlos had brought her closer to him, putting him inevitably in the position of a temporary partner, and subsequently someone whom she could trust, at least to a degree. The fear of losing a partner, and more so in such a violent way, had been with Jill from the start of the story, after the unfortunate incident with Brad; so now her nightmare reminds her that fear by presenting Carlos as a victim with Brad's fate. On the other hand, however, this subconscious choice indicates that Jill is attracted to Carlos but she refuses to allow herself the luxury of enjoying this feeling because if she does so, she will betray her mission. Her subconscious puts the man that she likes in the position of a dangerous enemy because she feels both enchanted and threatened by his presence.<br /></p><p></p><p><b>Desire masked as guilt (Joseph Oda in <i>The Evil Within</i>)</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0iqowUxqcKQNlKjdcoR2YJP8C8z2PR1FtE1WAAc2WGl-zquxWPW33EFoJISHMr0esttBR7afl6fMdkvaTpiMwCqXfuytEclgF4GehCtO9TW8vHhPdoskNTKwXmkAWAfPYHED9VigtKfYQJhkFgWkmjNdTI9G9xMxPLxJU2463yhuRICN3E0sOKhzMA/s1920/20190318225749_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0iqowUxqcKQNlKjdcoR2YJP8C8z2PR1FtE1WAAc2WGl-zquxWPW33EFoJISHMr0esttBR7afl6fMdkvaTpiMwCqXfuytEclgF4GehCtO9TW8vHhPdoskNTKwXmkAWAfPYHED9VigtKfYQJhkFgWkmjNdTI9G9xMxPLxJU2463yhuRICN3E0sOKhzMA/w640-h360/20190318225749_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Joseph's case is quite similar to that of Gabriel Knight in that, for both of them, desire takes the form of something considered forbidden and subsequently both of them experience a devastating inner struggle with their wild, primitive self through which they channel that feeling. But whereas for Gabriel all this was mainly due to confusion (Gabriel found himself in a situation that was unexpected and unfamiliar, and which he was unable to handle), for Joseph everything is pretty clear and conscious, which is why he is primarily led by guilt for what he experiences. Joseph is emotionally vulnerable, which is why being trapped in Ruvik's memories affects him so much. After unwillingly entering the STEM system, Joseph comes face to face with his most secret and suppressed fears and emotions, something that weakens his will and his resistances and results in him not being able to control himself and thus turning into a Haunted. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Soon after Sebastian finds him in STEM, Joseph experiences his first transformation during which he violently attacks Sebastian while struggling to take control of his monstrous self. The fact that this first transformation happens while he is with Sebastian is not random; since Sebastian is, <span><span> <span class="kqEaA z8gr9e">unbeknownst<b> </b></span></span></span>to him, the receiver of Joseph's forbidden feelings. The next time he turns is when, due to Ruvik's control of his mind, he instinctively catches that Juli's presence is threatening, since in reality she is there as a spy on behalf of Mobius, and he attacks her in an attempt to push her out of the way and, eventually, to prevent her from affecting Sebastian. Later on, while still with Sebastian, he attempts to kill himself because he realizes that not only he is unable to control this transformation, but moreover a part of himself yearns to become a Haunted. Part of himself, that is, is ready to accept and embrace the feeling of that forbidden desire, but his conscious self, most probably having grown up in a strict, heavily traditional environment that forced him to follow all the expected norms and stereotypes, brings forward the feeling of guilt in order to make him suppress whatever it is that makes him revolt both emotionally and physically. Joseph becoming a Haunted then reverting back to his human form with even more guilt each time stands as an allegory for his struggle to come to terms with himself and break the restrains that keep him imprisoned.<br /></p><p><b>Desire leading to self-destruction (Derek Simmons in <i>Resident Evil 6</i>)</b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjkoXHcgcvWsbLEL7r-kMj9KKhZ67bXlRzSY2FMIHYuMh-Y5M4cGV7hc_Rx1f678_RLXMCcADt530TZ2fGj5q3NriuMRyFv8Oj2QB_Bt5rNhGQIGMrXa8v_qbOlwKKEyXcp_JVblpXWNRpZRXyJrWVqU_5BqFTKlj1145Zcf7aUmCZnlD5zCvW3SMgQ/s1280/simm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjkoXHcgcvWsbLEL7r-kMj9KKhZ67bXlRzSY2FMIHYuMh-Y5M4cGV7hc_Rx1f678_RLXMCcADt530TZ2fGj5q3NriuMRyFv8Oj2QB_Bt5rNhGQIGMrXa8v_qbOlwKKEyXcp_JVblpXWNRpZRXyJrWVqU_5BqFTKlj1145Zcf7aUmCZnlD5zCvW3SMgQ/w640-h360/simm.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Derek Simmons expresses probably one of the most straightforward forms of desire, given that he is not particularly complex himself, at least at the beginning. Originally the typical power-hungry villain with a Messiah complex, he developed an obsessive paranoia after falling in love with Ada. Of course for a man like him, "love" is not exactly the word we should use; he clearly cannot feel anything positive for anyone but himself, and what truly pushes him to extremes is not so much his feelings for Ada, but the fact that she rejected him. By rejecting him, Ada in fact challenged his power, something that, for him, is impossible to accept. After Derek crossed the line by coming up with the idea to create Ada's clone, his mania grew bigger, and his malicious acts shifted from general to very specific. At this point, it was desire that drove his actions, but also blinded him so much that he didn't realize that, by succumbing to this feeling and letting it take control, he got tangled in a peculiar and marginally twisted triangle, with two depictions of the same woman at its two points: Ada, the real one, and Carla, her clone. Subsequently, Derek's actions caused Carla's actions because she, in turn, realized that he had turned her into a lab rat when it was already too late for her to reverse the effects, while at the same time she felt deeply betrayed, not only as a scientist but also as a woman. It is hinted that the real Carla, for her part, had feelings for Derek but he would only see a potential Ada in her, so the realization of this added more fuel to Carla's already unstable psyche.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">When Carla took her revenge on Derek by turning him into a monster, Derek's inner monstrosity also came to the surface and literally found a face. Not only he lost any sense of humanity but he also lost himself, and this was a path that he had in fact taken much earlier, when he first came up with the idea to create Ada's clone because he could not have the real one. His paranoia grew stronger after the clone was actually created, when he began to refer to and address the clone as if she was the real Ada. Such a sick situation, of course, could not drag on for too long, and would inevitably lead to his own destruction, aided also by Carla's thirst for revenge. From the moment when Derek was transformed into a monster, and seeing, in his paranoia, how powerful he could actually be in that state, he literally killed his human self, giving room to his inner monster.<br /></p><p><b>Desire as obsession (Stefano Valentini in <i>The Evil Within 2</i>)</b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9NsdD0m4Aun2n41rnq18W_amkjkSGQXufIvua83rxOlyscECVJKN2tUuWbS9_jmwySguSSFn27MjeydMJ31uu9NZj0GDdljFaLgO0UJg3AiNUsTybr6dwFQR5Hd4Rwwo-FaoxKltQvzMjOBeCmQPv9US7bjNw9_nQeRIzHgw9W7OphV6gg6hGnSVag/s1280/20171226134425_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9NsdD0m4Aun2n41rnq18W_amkjkSGQXufIvua83rxOlyscECVJKN2tUuWbS9_jmwySguSSFn27MjeydMJ31uu9NZj0GDdljFaLgO0UJg3AiNUsTybr6dwFQR5Hd4Rwwo-FaoxKltQvzMjOBeCmQPv9US7bjNw9_nQeRIzHgw9W7OphV6gg6hGnSVag/w640-h360/20171226134425_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Although Stefano's murderous instincts can easily be mistaken for those of a typical serial killer, in fact they have much more depth, like he does as well, both as a character overall and specifically as an artist. Stefano's psyche is in turmoil, but there are two main conflicting emotions inside him: the extreme love that he feels for his own creations, and the venomous hate that he directs towards every other living soul around him. In fact Stefano is obsessed with his art, in a most twisted and unhealthy manner, and views everyone and everything through the distorted prism of his camera's eye. Stefano has given life to his camera by creating the hideous monster Obscura, which is also the depiction of his inner, normally unperceivable self. Moreover, Obscura represents his own feminine side, which he has embraced to a degree but still resents and feels contempt for. Stefano could be easily labelled a killer of women, but this would only be a shallow and superficial characterization for such a complex mentality. In reality he hates all human beings, independently of sex or age. In the real world, he started killing female models because, as a fashion photographer, he could very easily approach them as potential victims. Progressively, killing women became some kind of ritual, as through them he would every time attempt to eliminate his female side. In the reality of STEM, however, where he could act completely out of control, his "gallery" of victims grew bigger and richer. Male citizens and soldiers were also "honored" to become part of his installations, with some of them even getting to have their own personal exhibition room, like Turner, Hayes and Baker, and of course Sebastian for whom Stefano had prearranged a dedicated gallery hall in order to place the installation that he had conceived and which would feature him as a "protagonist". <br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">For Stefano, desire is a very complex, dark feeling and notion; he hates Sebastian on the surface, but in the essence he yearns for that aspect of his that Stefano feels will make him an ideal model / victim. Sebastian combines two things that Stefano seems to deem as essential for the creation of his morbid art: innocence and sexual appeal. In his artwork, Stefano always depicts these two elements together, either directly or through symbols. Although he sees Lily as the ideal "blank canvas" for his future inspirations due to her innocence, he would still need victims to actually create art. Sebastian has Lily's pure heart, but he also has the sexuality that Stefano seeks so ardently for his disturbing creations. The sequence where Sebastian confronts and finally kills Stefano looks and feels like a twisted sex hunt, which becomes more than evident in case Stefano manages to catch Sebastian and stab him with lustful rage. At this stage, Stefano's obsession with his own art identifies both with the attraction that he feels for Sebastian on a physical level, and his desire to create "his masterpiece" which will incorporate all the perfection that he believes he has achieved: the perfect canvas, which is Lily, the perfect human material that would be Sebastian, and the perfect concept, which however he eventually lost the chance to create.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">_____________________________<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Special thanks to afterdarkmysweet for providing info for <i>Gabriel Knight: The Beast Within</i>.<br /></p><br />hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-45292085656229932422022-08-09T16:10:00.001-07:002022-08-09T16:10:35.082-07:00The Psychosexual Subtext of Resident Evil: Village<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOB8g7ywKSgxMyyDwQFUliTXuVdB82ZKO6egXAq6iRn8ESPTecPSOksyezaPfo-Irthb-5FGTbhMAACOPgkINtKQ-2aNeX8QveCDWcVUfa-5tem-6PTF7i1JTOZM-8MdoWWFS-9gLlxp-w/s1242/r.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1242" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOB8g7ywKSgxMyyDwQFUliTXuVdB82ZKO6egXAq6iRn8ESPTecPSOksyezaPfo-Irthb-5FGTbhMAACOPgkINtKQ-2aNeX8QveCDWcVUfa-5tem-6PTF7i1JTOZM-8MdoWWFS-9gLlxp-w/w640-h466/r.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Resident Evil: Village</i> is centered around Ethan Winters's nightmarish journey to find his abducted daughter Rosemary, however there are several other themes explored in the game on a secondary level that, however, add a lot to the story and the development of its characters. While Mother Miranda is the prominent evil mastermind, her four "children", the four lords of the village, are in fact the characters who give the tone of the adventure and the ones who, in the end, are the most memorable. When it comes to sexual imagery in particular, the obvious thought would be Alcina Dimitrescu, but in fact she is a red herring on the matter, as the essence of this subject lies somewhere else.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">As Ethan is about to enter the Castle Dimitrescu, he is captured by Carl Heisenberg and brought to a peculiar council consisting of Miranda and her four children. It is the only time when he has the chance to see all the villains gathered together, and moreover while they are arguing about who is going to be the one to carry out his execution. Sounds like an evil child's game, which isn't random if we consider that Miranda, by having condemned these four individuals to be a part of her experiments, she has essentially shattered their personality and their own free will, and while they feel super powerful thanks to their unusual abilities, in fact they are just puppets in the hands of their "mother". </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGY5XvN2WLczdkbOoq0-9PUvyXKi3cQsZEsL9vC2QtElrOkrQ4wpsrMQgXneckeA4D4KrWUQQ8WN4CxoFbVw1tH6gExmCqqD21xx_hdoaXVV5H5vojvP2vh-JiKM8uJe5CMABaH8Rn5jwDRxCPmobaBNOR5zXw8BZ3hv6kyS3VhXrlbRA5Nju3Rl0iRA/s1280/re8%202022-08-03%2021-42-20-177.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGY5XvN2WLczdkbOoq0-9PUvyXKi3cQsZEsL9vC2QtElrOkrQ4wpsrMQgXneckeA4D4KrWUQQ8WN4CxoFbVw1tH6gExmCqqD21xx_hdoaXVV5H5vojvP2vh-JiKM8uJe5CMABaH8Rn5jwDRxCPmobaBNOR5zXw8BZ3hv6kyS3VhXrlbRA5Nju3Rl0iRA/w640-h360/re8%202022-08-03%2021-42-20-177.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The whole scene looks like a grotesque act performed by a circus of
freaks, and it would have been marginally hilarious if it wasn't so
chillingly creepy. Alcina and Heisenberg are the most loud; each one of them makes it very clear that they want to be the one to kill Ethan. Their over-confidence is more than obvious and they feel much superior to their other two siblings. The badly disfigured Salvatore Moreau limits himself to getting close to Ethan to have a better look at his potential prey while whimpering like a whiny baby. And then there is Donna Beneviento. She can be seen sitting in a corner, her face covered with a black veil, never speaking a word while her creepy puppet Angie, controlled by her, rushes forward to have a look at Ethan as well, in a bold, unafraid and sadistic way. Donna looks like a silent stalker, patiently waiting for her prey to fall in her hands. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihY3or4Ok84ML9COOB4RritBtu_q7F8xvNfGNO9JTjE6ruz57GFPOQAwHZlNCmJY4C_tmg_PZq_YK4zBBjpr3W7cg5TqYNuntUw1W7ZE6NUuXuGr69b-zuajdYHBqiAQhqGsahXZ4_etggMxsRxiGfmKHCe-m82FEsUCHe1hQsplEiG798PYPzI6z7AQ/s1280/re8%202022-08-03%2021-41-45-308.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihY3or4Ok84ML9COOB4RritBtu_q7F8xvNfGNO9JTjE6ruz57GFPOQAwHZlNCmJY4C_tmg_PZq_YK4zBBjpr3W7cg5TqYNuntUw1W7ZE6NUuXuGr69b-zuajdYHBqiAQhqGsahXZ4_etggMxsRxiGfmKHCe-m82FEsUCHe1hQsplEiG798PYPzI6z7AQ/w640-h360/re8%202022-08-03%2021-41-45-308.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Donna Beneviento is an extremely intriguing character, one that definitely deserved
more game time and more details revealed about her past and her
family. But even what we do know about her and, mainly, what we see, understand and decipher as the story unfolds, is enough to make her stand out among the villains and end up being one of the most iconic characters in the Resident Evil saga. On first look, she is not easy to read. In her notes, Miranda characterizes Donna as mentally
underdeveloped, which is the main reason why she could not be a good
host for her daughter, Eva. Donna has the appearance of a grown woman, but mentally and sentimentally she is still a child. An insecure, lonely child, but at the same time a child with vicious, twisted instincts. Donna's backstory is a tragedy, something that can be reflected in her overall appearance and attitude. Born an aristocrat, she lost her parents at a very tender age, when they both committed suicide. Her mental health issues prevented her from becoming more social in her teen and early adult years, finding solace strictly in making dolls, a craft that she had learned from her father. Her only companion was a girl named Claudia, who belonged to Donna's bloodline but no one knew for sure whether she was Donna's sister or maybe her daughter, most probably an illegitimate one, if this was indeed the case. Claudia is buried in the Beneviento Flowerbed, a private cemetery just outside the entrance to the grounds of the residence.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7GnA0kz15YDCjGWdIDKiDM0OSzwuioyaWDA_Ss3JFwSzRmNsFgeuQeVpQPgu-CXHSubpKwa3biHybmv8BM7z2m9_bEAr3CGcBRKr4GFWBFvae5I-SgJo0Kf9U19ZaEjFUWITwJVNDA7UD_htRrpfAkTOjdT5uRKRZiOOoDkqfkzp8GjIsY1y5-DsYA/s1280/re8%202022-08-03%2021-45-52-484.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7GnA0kz15YDCjGWdIDKiDM0OSzwuioyaWDA_Ss3JFwSzRmNsFgeuQeVpQPgu-CXHSubpKwa3biHybmv8BM7z2m9_bEAr3CGcBRKr4GFWBFvae5I-SgJo0Kf9U19ZaEjFUWITwJVNDA7UD_htRrpfAkTOjdT5uRKRZiOOoDkqfkzp8GjIsY1y5-DsYA/w640-h360/re8%202022-08-03%2021-45-52-484.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Growing up, Donna's obsession with dolls and doll-making became even stronger. She also studied a lot in her mansion's rich library, and she became an expert on the local plants and flowers, learning to locate those that were poisonous, and use them to create mixtures that caused heavy hallucinations. As a side-effect of Miranda's experiments on her, she developed the ability to control inanimate objects with her mind, something that she took advantage of in order to manipulate her dolls around. She especially became attached to Angie, a very special puppet / doll, which looked like a skeletal figure, was dressed in bridal rags and the architecture of her face resembled a lot the Beneviento family's crest, the sun / moon complex. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCOpETEDfNLFGQWTaJoQy0vrD7GPMsH8Ri42qW9E1cfnNPC1EV2SyxHRN9PZ2YKeulv1ZWKsxI7PFvsqCUlu4XSXzUDt_mil1m0N-ohlzw9oP2bgHrgzryzga3pTYQCwZIvuQTV90HRFTeifEOUejc8QUYeBSS9JQdCzr7OO97tj8alQPzRk2f5dmMA/s961/angiecrest.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="961" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCOpETEDfNLFGQWTaJoQy0vrD7GPMsH8Ri42qW9E1cfnNPC1EV2SyxHRN9PZ2YKeulv1ZWKsxI7PFvsqCUlu4XSXzUDt_mil1m0N-ohlzw9oP2bgHrgzryzga3pTYQCwZIvuQTV90HRFTeifEOUejc8QUYeBSS9JQdCzr7OO97tj8alQPzRk2f5dmMA/w640-h276/angiecrest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Donna's obsession with dolls is a major element of her character and an axis around which her whole personality revolves. According to Sigmund Freud, children subconsciously use the dolls as a means to indirectly express erotic and aggressive fantasies. The doll is a small object, therefore is much closer, as an image, to what the child sees in the mirror and, subsequently, much easier to identify with. With the dolls, children create an imaginary world where they hope to feel satisfied and happy, while at the same time attempting to explore aspects of the adult world. According to Rainer Maria Rilke, however, the doll acts as a safety belt for the child who would feel lost and alone if cast out in the wild world. But exactly because the doll is an object with which the child can easily familiarize, their identities get mixed and the erotic element becomes prominent again. Sometimes children treat dolls with viciousness and this, from the aspect of psychoanalysis, is an aftereffect of the subconscious, premature yearning for a sexual partner. Donna's attitude reflects all this, adding a most powerful sexual imagery in the story. Alcina and her daughters may look promiscuous and revealing with their seemingly saucy attitude towards Ethan, but in reality they only want blood. Donna, on the other hand, neither speaks nor moves, but the way she traps Ethan in her twisted, morbid game is overloaded with psychosexual nuances.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPlsgy_hTKVf7EqjQfk-vkte5VCIP7Ohh5n97Als4CfPJoJGYG6DFl126Bm2kFCKxjhjzTFzC0ZGlMR9J0ycf-Qztv54XltiMb6q-LCo91GRY__DQU1somEpH21KFbcRy3pEAYsAdRomKU6Dlj7I1HR1FHQJ6BsjMgC6TbXrsx7nSTKM9zWgoxoxlzA/s1280/re8%202022-08-03%2021-46-42-305.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPlsgy_hTKVf7EqjQfk-vkte5VCIP7Ohh5n97Als4CfPJoJGYG6DFl126Bm2kFCKxjhjzTFzC0ZGlMR9J0ycf-Qztv54XltiMb6q-LCo91GRY__DQU1somEpH21KFbcRy3pEAYsAdRomKU6Dlj7I1HR1FHQJ6BsjMgC6TbXrsx7nSTKM9zWgoxoxlzA/w640-h360/re8%202022-08-03%2021-46-42-305.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Dolls were prominent in yet one more Resident Evil game, where again
they were linked to a disturbing sexual behavior: Alfred Ashford in
<i>Code Veronica</i> had his secret palace filled with vintage dolls, plus one
giant and very creepy dismembered one hanging from the ceiling at the
entrance hall. Although the house used to be inhabited by a girl as well
in the past - Alfred's twin sister Alexia - it is rather clear that,
now at least, it is Alfred who is obsessed with dolls, given how he
keeps them around the rooms standing like silent guardians: seemingly
harmless but not the least terrifying. Being very close to his sister as
a young boy, he developed an unhealthy obsession with her as a
teenager. After her supposed death, Alfred took on the habit of wearing
her dresses and a wig that resembled her hair and strolling around the
house pretending to be Alexia. To be more precise, he did not only
pretend to be his sister, but he would actually "become" her when in
female disguise. The dolls kind of substituted her actual presence in
the house, while at the same time they maybe signified Alfred's hidden
desire to have his sister as a living doll instead of her obviously
being the dominant and omnipotent twin when she was alive.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPNt5AHysHM5wNxpPyY1Ol4aeRylpCsBZkZzz-9-o4Asmqwm0D4L8xPmYPrubVC3strjuITQEtNvICgGFW9zNscsllDBm81WPleHnEFpbHUR7CAco39yjRh0FXCvMOWNFmVfih8nN9LCfPwWQLz3-MwymQLOxrQMzSe6Y9sjaR0Y0KLqHoHcmgPmBcw/s1280/re8%202022-08-03%2021-48-41-653.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPNt5AHysHM5wNxpPyY1Ol4aeRylpCsBZkZzz-9-o4Asmqwm0D4L8xPmYPrubVC3strjuITQEtNvICgGFW9zNscsllDBm81WPleHnEFpbHUR7CAco39yjRh0FXCvMOWNFmVfih8nN9LCfPwWQLz3-MwymQLOxrQMzSe6Y9sjaR0Y0KLqHoHcmgPmBcw/w640-h360/re8%202022-08-03%2021-48-41-653.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Being Donna's literal creation, Angie is a medium that is
used to express her master's mood and feelings. While Donna
is silent and motionless, Angie is talkative, sassy and restless. Here
we have a peculiar inversion: the puppet acts like a living person,
while the human adapts the attributes of a doll. Donna identifies with
Angie on multiple levels and the way that she chooses to express herself
through the doll is different every time. For
Donna, Angie mainly acts as a substitute for Claudia but on a second -
and maybe much stronger - level, the doll represents a complex
combination of Donna's primitive maternal instinct and her carnal
attraction to the opposite sex. The most obvious manifestation of the combination of these two symbolic attributes in Angie is the doll's appearance: she looks like a little kid, but she wears a grown woman's bridal gown. <br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PO9ODDPNWVSij7Sbgq9yDiG7oh_4RqGcG7zPIKgCdPvIrjb0r5apIj8lo1cDuumaAWuCbpY_TbFW8X-C4nmQkzsTuA9iiQ2_rAAQmET9AeJR2LofxdjzYyc-G5EY3_NO767K3jnUT-ai22D_Kt_DhKdIxwGZDC6oYcyoY6DhnkX36T5948tosfHqOQ/s1280/re8%202022-08-03%2022-03-25-592.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PO9ODDPNWVSij7Sbgq9yDiG7oh_4RqGcG7zPIKgCdPvIrjb0r5apIj8lo1cDuumaAWuCbpY_TbFW8X-C4nmQkzsTuA9iiQ2_rAAQmET9AeJR2LofxdjzYyc-G5EY3_NO767K3jnUT-ai22D_Kt_DhKdIxwGZDC6oYcyoY6DhnkX36T5948tosfHqOQ/w640-h360/re8%202022-08-03%2022-03-25-592.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the secluded and
spooky Beneviento residence, Ethan becomes the forbidden fruit. He is pretty much
like McBurney in the iconic movie <i>The Beguiled</i> (Don Siegel, 1971).
Deprived of his weapons, he becomes a victim to whatever sick plans
Donna has in mind. She begins by trapping him in her workshop, in the basement of the mansion, and there she creates a haunting string of
hallucinations where Ethan's wife, Mia, appears as a giant wooden doll with several
items hidden in parts of her body. Ethan hears Mia crying or talking to
him, he finds her wedding ring, the music box that was a gift from a
relative for their wedding, a photographic film including snapshots connected to his family life, then a baby's cradle, which subsequently breaks, hidden even deeper at the bottom of a well in a second basement. Donna attempts to sentimentally and
psychologically break him by bringing up painful memories connected to
his family, while at the same time she makes sure that the atmosphere in
the house is scary enough to keep him under control. Eventually she
creates the hallucination of a giant, cannibalistic embryo, a morbid and
horrifying mockery of Rosemary, which is chasing Ethan around the house
threatening to kill him. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvYL3Xzd8hY01nRSk-1sdONB8hEr3mFVwmS09KvL3eoII_2wknfHl-RcRVQPjQ6HbZrkXmXwOohYWJkXB-Vb-kuau3MHtO8Wqg0qUCUTZaE429E9eF4L039Swn2YSp_Tf7_lAjjfUc0hXGxWGE8BQ1ATk7Fh3QfLeS2s6Zy9DJaikgLVVd1H525n-OQ/s1280/re8%202022-08-03%2021-49-42-211.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvYL3Xzd8hY01nRSk-1sdONB8hEr3mFVwmS09KvL3eoII_2wknfHl-RcRVQPjQ6HbZrkXmXwOohYWJkXB-Vb-kuau3MHtO8Wqg0qUCUTZaE429E9eF4L039Swn2YSp_Tf7_lAjjfUc0hXGxWGE8BQ1ATk7Fh3QfLeS2s6Zy9DJaikgLVVd1H525n-OQ/w640-h360/re8%202022-08-03%2021-49-42-211.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">And this is when Donna shows up and it's
the one and only time when she speaks to Ethan directly, telling him that she can't let him leave. At this point, she still appears with her head covered, although she is on her own grounds and there is a portrait on a wall depicting her holding Angie, where her face fully shows. By choosing to appear like this in front of Ethan, she avoids eye-contact with him which would possibly lead to her not feeling secure enough to go on with her game. Determined to keep him there, she makes
him chase her in the residence's rooms, although Ethan is actually
seeing Angie floating around and hiding in several places in the
mansion, forcing him to take part in a morbid hide-and-seek game. The only thing that Ethan can do to attempt to defeat Donna is
to stab Angie with a pair of scissors; but in reality, he is actually
chasing and stabbing Donna herself.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RlueStAnc_E5yZwtdLWIEdiQMd02OMudmqZ1qIv_nRCqkTDSf57ShfSDgnTiMLHfJN5Bp8LPE-PRaJYqOGIOKhIg_D5pzWYIfjscXp_gy17_-x2D75GUUicvhwcAYiCFaF5JKorhZl_9W6bALxV6BDViFO1UDmlmThxPmmEyQL72RHJcoT2qycvS7g/s1280/re8%202022-08-03%2022-03-14-884.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RlueStAnc_E5yZwtdLWIEdiQMd02OMudmqZ1qIv_nRCqkTDSf57ShfSDgnTiMLHfJN5Bp8LPE-PRaJYqOGIOKhIg_D5pzWYIfjscXp_gy17_-x2D75GUUicvhwcAYiCFaF5JKorhZl_9W6bALxV6BDViFO1UDmlmThxPmmEyQL72RHJcoT2qycvS7g/w640-h360/re8%202022-08-03%2022-03-14-884.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The scissors is again a strong
sexual symbol with many nuances and Ethan's action of using it as a tool
to overpower Donna works, for her, as a substitute for the sexual
act. This sequence can potentially become even more intense if Ethan fails to find Angie in time; if this happens, the dolls around him grow blades which make them look like mechanical spiders, and stab him with mania, and of course it is in fact Donna again who attacks and stabs him, once more creating a hallucination involving the dolls. Notably, the first time that Ethan finds and stabs Angie, the doll bites him. Knowing that it is actually Donna who does this, the whole scene takes a completely different perspective, seen through the prism of Freud's theory about children using the dolls to express aggressive erotic fantasies. Donna may not be technically a child anymore, but her psyche is stuck in a problematic and sad childhood, something that obviously keeps defining her actions even in her adult life.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmCBpVajrfWRI6NXTHA9BU5H1C1SzE5q06nUmu_LBzE_lkxIaZyO3Ey5AnLEjWs6m2XJSnrz6AxDP78IdZ4p_YgY80b0ziS7dYZoMff4yt_ro9WLQe6YMaLG-a6uaNnMmYNPh7LiQbNok4jw0Ol3TP4SNLokKGX0Kqm1V3fWN5pVdbXsJiO5YS7gQ4w/s1280/re8%202022-08-03%2022-05-45-289.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmCBpVajrfWRI6NXTHA9BU5H1C1SzE5q06nUmu_LBzE_lkxIaZyO3Ey5AnLEjWs6m2XJSnrz6AxDP78IdZ4p_YgY80b0ziS7dYZoMff4yt_ro9WLQe6YMaLG-a6uaNnMmYNPh7LiQbNok4jw0Ol3TP4SNLokKGX0Kqm1V3fWN5pVdbXsJiO5YS7gQ4w/w640-h360/re8%202022-08-03%2022-05-45-289.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Up to the point where Ethan arrives at Donna's house and after he
escapes from there, his role is standard and specific: he is the
protective father figure and Rosemary's rescuer. But for the time that
he spends inside the Beneviento mansion, his role changes dramatically.
He becomes a potential game partner for Donna who, due to her emotional
clinging to childhood, employs childish tricks (the hide-and-seek game)
and objects (the dolls) in order to lure him towards her, which
subsequently leads to Ethan acquiring one more role: that of the object
of Donna's sexual desires. Donna's sick inner child views Rosemary as an
antagonist, something that is intensified by Angie's reactions every
time that Ethan grabs her and stabs her, but Donna as a grown woman also
views Mia as an antagonist, and this is manifested mainly in the way
that she chose, in the workshop hallucination, to present Mia as a grotesque giant
puppet. After Ethan kills Donna by stabbing Angie with the scissors and all
hallucinations are gone both inside and around the Beneviento estate,
the basement of the mansion still remains off-limits to him. From a
freudian aspect, the basement represents the memory storage: a place
where past images are stacked and remain there abandoned and seemingly
forgotten but still affecting the person involved. <br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8n4VNpxXa8-tcI8UnNa0w3L7nNBq1R0b6A7dbZTB87TpRFAeEE14GyXmLUW0SzmBqy9tJWBnEaSwTF0ylZUPh0OXmw8Th1Xskr2T1M9dgXJsHhbwSBNmU2QYJawwhMLRKoRmKU9SiRpk18N39se8CKgd3wLP1paiamptAoucZ6ClWRIir90B3tLTTtw/s1280/re8%202022-08-03%2022-07-15-273.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8n4VNpxXa8-tcI8UnNa0w3L7nNBq1R0b6A7dbZTB87TpRFAeEE14GyXmLUW0SzmBqy9tJWBnEaSwTF0ylZUPh0OXmw8Th1Xskr2T1M9dgXJsHhbwSBNmU2QYJawwhMLRKoRmKU9SiRpk18N39se8CKgd3wLP1paiamptAoucZ6ClWRIir90B3tLTTtw/w640-h360/re8%202022-08-03%2022-07-15-273.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The whole stage that takes place in the Beneviento residence is on a much different pace from the rest of the game, and it is several levels creepier and scarier because it is built around psychological horror. It is pretty similar to <i>The Evil Within</i>'s chapter "The Cruelest Intentions", not only as far as its atmosphere and setting are concerned but also because in both cases the memories of the protagonists are mixed with those of their stalkers. This is a feature that is always present in <i>The Evil Within</i>, but in that specific chapter it reaches its climax because memories become more personal for the stalker, just as is the case with Donna in <i>Village</i>. Story-wise, Donna has many things in common with Ruben Victoriano, Sebastian's stalker in <i>The Evil Within</i>.
She is playing with Ethan's memories by infiltrating them and placing
herself in them by force. By presenting to him the human-sized Mia doll,
it is as if she is implying that she, being a doll-maker, actually created Mia for him, and
because it was her (Donna) who, as the creator, would breathe life
into the doll, she would turn Mia into a host for her own manifestation
and, indirectly, her own suppressed and undeveloped sexuality. From the moment when Donna appears in front of Ethan
and establishes her own role as Angie's puppet master and, in a wider
sense, as the one who pulls the strings in her domain, the child's play
begins to transform to a sexual game, at which point Ethan stops being
Donna's game partner and his role as the object of her sexual desire is the one that prevails in the end.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">BIBLIOGRAPHY</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/20057382">Uncanny Dolls: Images of Death in Rilke and Freud</a>
</p>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-66031212074052560872022-08-03T00:27:00.003-07:002022-08-30T00:00:24.874-07:00Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness in Retrospect<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZR2CW5Mib9yMA3RMdeqRp38FnUBvVJgRtBXzqRfJF0KCBBtbluNtl_BSM0DFcz6I2QaW-NwQtSZ1M9gwm7FwHr_CShy4PuOR2PLfr_l0yehLBXxh1bl71b5bn6hgZt4_ft1b-3Y2nEvA40VTi8_x2tLT3Lq3RJgv-ON4hMrpsmT_5dVqP0NmUjZFAw/s1280/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZR2CW5Mib9yMA3RMdeqRp38FnUBvVJgRtBXzqRfJF0KCBBtbluNtl_BSM0DFcz6I2QaW-NwQtSZ1M9gwm7FwHr_CShy4PuOR2PLfr_l0yehLBXxh1bl71b5bn6hgZt4_ft1b-3Y2nEvA40VTi8_x2tLT3Lq3RJgv-ON4hMrpsmT_5dVqP0NmUjZFAw/w640-h360/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>The Angel of Darkness </i>is maybe the only notorious game in the otherwise much loved and acclaimed Tomb Raider saga. Released in 2003 following a great hype and even greater promises, it unfortunately featured innumerable flaws alongside its good elements. Core Design, the historical development team that had been responsible for the first five (eight with the gold expansions), now classic, Tomb Raider games, had very intriguing plans for both the game and its possible sequels but sadly all went down the rabbit hole after <i>The Angel of Darkness </i>saw the light and all of us saw how much more work it actually needed before getting a release. Several problems led to this, and since the release date of the game had already been postponed more than once, the sixth Tomb Raider installment eventually had to appear in the market while, in reality, it was still in development.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDD3AwILsQzA0riYmGXyRWhQVyeU1DGE2XgSuj-_YkMmIUyKQm2MCYvIMXaCjNoXW3Cq-U9uyv-s8mxFTFjiOlb77Oh81W6Qq9W5rQCzmVvswVaRmDk1uex15niwhjQXP0dFzXRERLB9pRUHSiX_4lVpjyWUCJkQE-GnaGp_69qX3pZ5Wu7l8s_oyFIQ/s1280/10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDD3AwILsQzA0riYmGXyRWhQVyeU1DGE2XgSuj-_YkMmIUyKQm2MCYvIMXaCjNoXW3Cq-U9uyv-s8mxFTFjiOlb77Oh81W6Qq9W5rQCzmVvswVaRmDk1uex15niwhjQXP0dFzXRERLB9pRUHSiX_4lVpjyWUCJkQE-GnaGp_69qX3pZ5Wu7l8s_oyFIQ/w640-h360/10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">The story of the game takes place a few years after the events in <i>The Last Revelation</i>. In the fourth game's dramatic finale, Lara got trapped in the depths of the Great Pyramid and, as we can see during most of the fifth game, <i>Tomb Raider Chronicles</i>, was presumed dead for a certain period of time. Her old friend and mentor, however, Werner Von Croy, followed his clues and subsequently located her, while she was still alive and breathing. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gNsVAq0IzO2Q98Qtmz6RmrcjIVeXMI1Rq3-jQLJIRIm0FrjrawBeapH5TJC9HsWB3HvhRIJFsSEWLjua1LUIyjnJ2MJVrjiNSgX7FsspU3SVU4405Jge60gw36bVe1ArZopBYVw8iGTN9l9q70fOaiDa4OIKzdkpmIH_Vtt3bnka88GHgtTLE2nACw/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-07-23-13h38m07s651.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gNsVAq0IzO2Q98Qtmz6RmrcjIVeXMI1Rq3-jQLJIRIm0FrjrawBeapH5TJC9HsWB3HvhRIJFsSEWLjua1LUIyjnJ2MJVrjiNSgX7FsspU3SVU4405Jge60gw36bVe1ArZopBYVw8iGTN9l9q70fOaiDa4OIKzdkpmIH_Vtt3bnka88GHgtTLE2nACw/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-07-23-13h38m07s651.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">We assume that Lara was then rescued and it is implied at the start of <i>The Angel of Darkness</i> that she was still holding a grudge against Von Croy for supposedly leaving her to die in the pyramid. And this is where the problems of the game actually begin. Because we do know very well from <i>The Last Revelation</i> that Von Croy didn't really abandon her. For starters, he was possessed by the evil god Seth for most of the game's story, during which he acted as an enemy. But at the end, after Lara locked Horus in his temple inside the pyramid, Von Croy was not only set free, but he also desperately tried to help Lara get past the collapsing rocks, something that Lara knew because well, you know, she was there to witness the whole thing.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5fpS6GhYMG9d1ya99oVeu9NfpNITkKXnbAR1Pxa9UibcZOrjazkST7qaHNQi5iKHagFQ3V62p2Oy8QFLEEKjMp1kBwO2LQK_hHxe0kMNrG8d9bXAnh1VH5xNfoOjZiZ0-sSVAQbhB7naEfBK06GCivM7RBhNpaf1Opjy0WPbKDaOurus7k8seRqRPA/s1280/9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5fpS6GhYMG9d1ya99oVeu9NfpNITkKXnbAR1Pxa9UibcZOrjazkST7qaHNQi5iKHagFQ3V62p2Oy8QFLEEKjMp1kBwO2LQK_hHxe0kMNrG8d9bXAnh1VH5xNfoOjZiZ0-sSVAQbhB7naEfBK06GCivM7RBhNpaf1Opjy0WPbKDaOurus7k8seRqRPA/w640-h360/9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">So the initiation of the scenario in <i>The Angel of Darkness</i> is actually based on a concept that isn't really true, and this is something that both protagonists know, and also something that we know. This somehow sets the pace for the rest of the story, but in fact the story itself is much more interesting, much more intriguing and much more complex. Von Croy asks Lara to find an artifact for him, a certain painting, but while they are in the middle of an awkward argument, something happens, Lara loses her senses and when she comes to, she sees that her hands are full of blood and that her mentor is lying dead in front of her. Doing her mathematics in seconds, she realizes that she will be accused of Von Croy's murder, even though deep down she knows she wasn't the one who killed him. Feeling that the death of Von Croy has a lot to do with the painting he wanted her to find, she begins her quest which leads her first to the criminal underworld of Paris, then to the very Louvre Museum itself and a secret dig site at its basement and eventually in Prague where she finally locates the culprits and puts an end to their evil plans. All this, not before she solves some fascinating, old-school puzzles and not before meeting a mysterious stranger who happens to have a connection to the painting as well and whose own story is also very interesting.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQFTU4384ZHnJjGyVaWXfJ_x0qHZCtdCwEXurFsPpRPvWrcWyPYZ5ECimR8z_cx8ESV2JMaHKXUhDRrPBA4AJEHu03Llr587wHQ4BcTDWlm1eeNm81mzRHiI7peDoTXrYXdFBqvW0UJV1WPTbXNyMLUTnOHcTjfgFCJeiPyP3ktsZRonj7f8kPrus9w/s1280/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQFTU4384ZHnJjGyVaWXfJ_x0qHZCtdCwEXurFsPpRPvWrcWyPYZ5ECimR8z_cx8ESV2JMaHKXUhDRrPBA4AJEHu03Llr587wHQ4BcTDWlm1eeNm81mzRHiI7peDoTXrYXdFBqvW0UJV1WPTbXNyMLUTnOHcTjfgFCJeiPyP3ktsZRonj7f8kPrus9w/w640-h360/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Said mysterious stranger is Kurtis Trent, a new character with whom we have the chance to play two chapters and carry out a nasty boss fight. Core Design had some pretty awesome plans for Kurtis, but with how things turned out, he prematurely became part of the game's past mythology. Kurtis was met with enthusiasm from a decent amount of Tomb Raider players, and it's almost certain that if all had gone smoothly and <i>The Angel of Darkness </i>hadn't been such a hell to play, he could very well still be active in the saga somehow.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vhvVUk8KvLyCovwBGvlymlb2erZaYYyjEFA9dyjfC_ZuP2AVMV8GTUh9m52q28u7HO_ymwqGU8fH5DbQW_z11jCJNzTt9as0TUkyrd2-yP2-DM3HTQHqMzTw6M-S2lzHAL-2zJUaWwp9PyTUqpOwTT24vA17Vr82WCt-kBFtmqQE5aN-_Onpt5hNkg/s1280/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vhvVUk8KvLyCovwBGvlymlb2erZaYYyjEFA9dyjfC_ZuP2AVMV8GTUh9m52q28u7HO_ymwqGU8fH5DbQW_z11jCJNzTt9as0TUkyrd2-yP2-DM3HTQHqMzTw6M-S2lzHAL-2zJUaWwp9PyTUqpOwTT24vA17Vr82WCt-kBFtmqQE5aN-_Onpt5hNkg/w640-h360/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">But as I just mentioned, <i>The Angel of Darkness </i>is a hell to play. Technically, the game is not much different from the previous ones. The control system is pretty similar, and there are also a few new cool moves, like the commando crawl or the stealth attack. The problem is that the way Lara and Kurtis are programmed, they respond to the commands as if their whole life bores the hell out of them, and their movements are so slow that you so feel the urge to fast-forward everything somehow. For some insane reason, they always - and I mean, ALWAYS - make a few walking steps before they start running. I don't know if this was supposed to be there for realism, or if it was a left-over, or a feature that was going to be present in certain occasions only, but it still is one of the most problematic things that I have seen in gaming. There is a sequence where Lara must go through a hallway trapped with deadly lasers while taking cover in doorways in the way. At the end of the hallway, there is a strong enemy waiting to shoot at her. While Lara is trying to make it from one doorway to another in a zig zag manner, she must also take care to not bump onto the lasers so as to not trip them. In the course of doing that, she'd better not have her weapon out because her scripted combat moves (another hell, to which I will refer later) are the worst thing that could happen to her in such a situation. Because of that, she has to move along as usual, but regardless the enemy will start shooting at her as soon as she steps out of a doorway. The most logical thing at that point would be to run as fast as you can. But NO. Because Lara is scripted to ALWAYS take a few walking steps before running, even in this critical, life-threatening situation she will AGAIN casually walk her few steps before setting off to running. And guess what, she will have already been shot several times, all this while trying to make just a few frigging steps to the next doorway.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0q6Nz-uKh5sLvVjJRsZRytjiScpBnlvbZ3Eu_EopoMVxOdv6b7BaisEngjBomeBbbmAZRuQsO01HuTl9qkK9mMDCKyu9ZKGpOwyVE074qUMZreS25wD6lPMkcKMW5kv7WqaLowgqu4bJRaY2h9tDWBL0AXTDOdUggWMFt0bekv8BSaC_xcQCK2wNnVA/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-07-25-13h23m18s266.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0q6Nz-uKh5sLvVjJRsZRytjiScpBnlvbZ3Eu_EopoMVxOdv6b7BaisEngjBomeBbbmAZRuQsO01HuTl9qkK9mMDCKyu9ZKGpOwyVE074qUMZreS25wD6lPMkcKMW5kv7WqaLowgqu4bJRaY2h9tDWBL0AXTDOdUggWMFt0bekv8BSaC_xcQCK2wNnVA/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-07-25-13h23m18s266.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">And now the combat moves. Oh my, the combat moves. When there is no enemy around, Lara and Kurtis can walk and run (preferably walk because that's how heroes do it obviously) normally. But when an enemy shows up, even if he is behind a barrier, they will start hopping around in circles, resulting in you shooting in panic and losing your orientation in the process. And what to say about the upgrade system. Lara will refuse to push a tiny glass case if she is not "strong enough", but she may very well kick open a heavy door without the slightest shame.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NEWZEcKwMsW044a4hJK9WhaEe1D-w4LXD4dkxZiGe78c5xQWhm5OSv1ZnR-zJa6i-TAw6Q89U4Upd_nNYCOgd-9WlJgtBe_HqKlaOfv36ON2QTjFqgzceqoMBLF3QRqfjFDZx_mAcyV66q_XgjTNEsJFJPYU7_Bff4Ica_0wOHgAlohh0wTcuMkAyQ/s1920/TRAOD_P4%202022-07-26%2000-43-31-047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NEWZEcKwMsW044a4hJK9WhaEe1D-w4LXD4dkxZiGe78c5xQWhm5OSv1ZnR-zJa6i-TAw6Q89U4Upd_nNYCOgd-9WlJgtBe_HqKlaOfv36ON2QTjFqgzceqoMBLF3QRqfjFDZx_mAcyV66q_XgjTNEsJFJPYU7_Bff4Ica_0wOHgAlohh0wTcuMkAyQ/w640-h360/TRAOD_P4%202022-07-26%2000-43-31-047.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It is such a pity that you can see all the flaws, but at the same time you can also see all the potential. The graphics are fantastic (keep in mind that the game was released almost twenty years ago, so the standards were very different), and there are sections that are unforgettable. You can imagine these in a better setup and see how amazing the game could have been. The whole dig site under the Louvre is one of the best stages in the whole Tomb Raider saga. It is a huge hub consisting of a main area and four puzzle areas that are based on the four elements - a reminiscent of the Lost City of Tinnos from<i> Tomb Raider 3</i>. But my most favorite is definitely the stunning Bio-Research Facility, a vast area made of several rooms that connect with each other via security doors, and said rooms host beautiful but deadly plants and a creepily calm atmosphere.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j-RRTuW9WHswjNVdN5jWHmJNcLWVz5uBBsDxbHq107_bOtoyRHvzk6eJKYgwmrDSBl-_T-RNSn1xz4Anbdr3OrUGnxT78fetXHxo3HkUbsooCGPjhqN298LywT5hqqxgKiTniHsJNVPedzafI-EYNHf5EFy-tKt_lhYM7zMonxvA5ORUTmG0p9mRvA/s1920/TRAOD_P4%202022-07-26%2000-41-44-325.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j-RRTuW9WHswjNVdN5jWHmJNcLWVz5uBBsDxbHq107_bOtoyRHvzk6eJKYgwmrDSBl-_T-RNSn1xz4Anbdr3OrUGnxT78fetXHxo3HkUbsooCGPjhqN298LywT5hqqxgKiTniHsJNVPedzafI-EYNHf5EFy-tKt_lhYM7zMonxvA5ORUTmG0p9mRvA/w640-h360/TRAOD_P4%202022-07-26%2000-41-44-325.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The facility rooms are in fact greenhouses, but their carnivorous plants and poisonous mushrooms are only a facade for what truly goes on underneath. Evil masterminds, crazy scientists, power-hungry madmen are again present, as is always the case in our beloved Tomb Raider games. By the way, this whole section holds a cunning resemblance to Javier's greenhouse from <i>Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles</i>. I guess all villains have some things in common after all.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eMH-Fmz-FvVb1sXEfijrjF0XJfm7qTn725i7WsHcDbQApcRAA4y3tvPtxFmCXG88vQhMgm2WoUwzCv-t1iyddi_bhRQgYfqk3vXCTUSQWyRuSBcvtsrIGbvBvoEXvLV2HOKnxd36UWPokpSNXC7b-uNK9K2zZ1yk0l7IZigIr0yeK4iViJd59QWL4g/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-07-25-13h21m58s548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eMH-Fmz-FvVb1sXEfijrjF0XJfm7qTn725i7WsHcDbQApcRAA4y3tvPtxFmCXG88vQhMgm2WoUwzCv-t1iyddi_bhRQgYfqk3vXCTUSQWyRuSBcvtsrIGbvBvoEXvLV2HOKnxd36UWPokpSNXC7b-uNK9K2zZ1yk0l7IZigIr0yeK4iViJd59QWL4g/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-07-25-13h21m58s548.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Puzzles are not very difficult, but they do require some thinking. The aforementioned element areas under the Louvre involve a series of trials that are easy to understand but rather difficult to execute, but definitely one of the most memorable moments of this section and maybe of the whole game is the room at the top of the Hall of Seasons with the one-of-a-kind boss "fight" against the red ghost that guards the painting: it is not a typical fight in that you cannot battle against the boss, but rather you have to carry out a timed process in order to be able to take the painting and leave without the ghost messing with you. This sequence was one of those stages that back then had players, including yours truly, pulling their hair in anger and despair, but somehow now I managed to do it with my second attempt. Draining the water in the Louvre sewers is an ingenious process, as is the whole sequence with distracting the mutant fish in the Aquatic Research Area. Among my favorites is surely the puzzle in Vasiley's library in Prague, set in a lovely environment which makes you wish there was more to explore there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6B2o80U2YV9RZSnglhxN_tYLmXapwiDgKJ-SZQVCkg4X89UQIVBAReEFi8Jdv1nfgL-Xli5OdNk0qKhQ96ZwqF6TTqhCNw2M57p-Omql4TE0c8wZC2J7Yd2nPZkGLZeUTovy5IVw1PVxYDGdnhdWAm02m8b-1uxblWRvDROyCyXMXETPFNJmbWYaR8Q/s1920/TRAOD_P4%202022-07-25%2022-34-26-572.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6B2o80U2YV9RZSnglhxN_tYLmXapwiDgKJ-SZQVCkg4X89UQIVBAReEFi8Jdv1nfgL-Xli5OdNk0qKhQ96ZwqF6TTqhCNw2M57p-Omql4TE0c8wZC2J7Yd2nPZkGLZeUTovy5IVw1PVxYDGdnhdWAm02m8b-1uxblWRvDROyCyXMXETPFNJmbWYaR8Q/w640-h360/TRAOD_P4%202022-07-25%2022-34-26-572.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The lab in the final stage is also a beautifully made setting involving a series of cleverly thought puzzles. It is in fact an Alchemy lab, as the game's backstory has mainly to do with Alchemy, and it is where the plot reaches its climax and you begin to see where all this is going. The arch-villain is a man that does not come from this century, and everything in his lab betrays that. Vintage decoration, old-time equipment, even zombie skeletons, comprise the compelling environment of his secret laboratory. Don't you just love those beautiful vintage items in games? I know I do.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDGBufcQoqBDPbH8cOlxoQ0-HvHtqhYD0AnT_rlTnvIh1gM4WMdPULsMgQojFilOSCyg4eqBgCKl49NKAFAguc4B59x8PatiKy93uwCsrjqsBsCwLHV7QxueO7Ou-pN3TceWye9_KITRo83bAXY5HvMNNoQwIXE9BgFL1l6zGKeXDbEt9VBKoZQvfYw/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-07-25-20h57m36s411.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDGBufcQoqBDPbH8cOlxoQ0-HvHtqhYD0AnT_rlTnvIh1gM4WMdPULsMgQojFilOSCyg4eqBgCKl49NKAFAguc4B59x8PatiKy93uwCsrjqsBsCwLHV7QxueO7Ou-pN3TceWye9_KITRo83bAXY5HvMNNoQwIXE9BgFL1l6zGKeXDbEt9VBKoZQvfYw/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-07-25-20h57m36s411.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Character-wise, the game is doing pretty well, although there was still room for a lot of improvement and development. Now that I got to play the game again after so many years, I saw that there is a lot more depth in both the characters and the story than I thought back then, as I also noticed details in the dialogues and the notes that I previously missed. There are six villains in the story, although only three of them actually become threatening, and Lara finds out in the end that the real evil mastermind was someone that, up to that point, preferred to move mostly in the shadows.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndICfLPjgWbQfTwJXnhUmCUAJ3gt-1YgHanR4gmF6hG_UerwXBNBJrZhQVEibnsNt63h2RPVDMGHsRaJk1rSF2iiQQN6qRXxqLSjk_dpdcNc2dVkMb8vy-oMRaP8KfNxRZMoEMlq7EcFLY5EhU1c79fqfUwM9n-ACChO_KK8jWH9mgq79mKK-aXO7MA/s1280/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndICfLPjgWbQfTwJXnhUmCUAJ3gt-1YgHanR4gmF6hG_UerwXBNBJrZhQVEibnsNt63h2RPVDMGHsRaJk1rSF2iiQQN6qRXxqLSjk_dpdcNc2dVkMb8vy-oMRaP8KfNxRZMoEMlq7EcFLY5EhU1c79fqfUwM9n-ACChO_KK8jWH9mgq79mKK-aXO7MA/w640-h360/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">As I mentioned a few paragraphs above, Kurtis is a very interesting character and he had a lot of potential. Core had plans for him to be the protagonist in a possible spin-off and maybe even become a recurring character in future Tomb Raider games. Kurtis is a demon hunter, coming from a long line of ancestors that shared skills similar to his: he has some sort of telekinesis and can see very far away by using his special power. He has a powerful weapon, a Chirugai, which however he only uses in a cutsene at the end of his boss fight. I want to believe that if the game had been more complete, we could have been able to use it in gameplay as well. Kurtis can control his Chirugai with his mind and the weapon essentially "senses" his presence even if he is hidden somewhere around. Such great elements that would fit so well in the Tomb Raider world. The levels that we get to play with him take place in a sanatorium, also a secret experiment center of the bad guys, which now is a nest of creepy, blood-thirsty mutants. The bonus is a boss fight with one of the mutated evil masterminds, which, like the aforementioned red ghost sequence, used to be a nightmare for us back then. Now, after having played so many difficult games in the meantime, I realized that what truly made those sequences tough in <i>The Angel of Darkness</i> was the broken control system, because otherwise they were very straightforward and easy.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5ymhAayIZjSkrV1tlP-2m5ws-pQI4Tw-SsDo325wHXzc0ixldglKMlsjo43RVSHqe6dEttKiGj7WfwNRX7wDKsjzDxz7xcEvAIjfQ51fZcI_rvzSk8BztFBnCJuDc9mb1wtd8TLzL9w4h7itoSZyLEORXMB2zauyw2oLi2Qgqdg3IcyISPR7voaiJQ/s1280/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5ymhAayIZjSkrV1tlP-2m5ws-pQI4Tw-SsDo325wHXzc0ixldglKMlsjo43RVSHqe6dEttKiGj7WfwNRX7wDKsjzDxz7xcEvAIjfQ51fZcI_rvzSk8BztFBnCJuDc9mb1wtd8TLzL9w4h7itoSZyLEORXMB2zauyw2oLi2Qgqdg3IcyISPR7voaiJQ/w640-h360/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>The Angel of Darkness </i>has its peculiar charm and its own cult merit but unfortunately its flawed gameplay system is a curse that it will always carry on its back. Regardless, it's an experience that left and will always leave good memories to Tomb Raider players, at least; if anything, it was the last game made by Core Design and this alone is a reason to consider it historical anyway. <i>The Angel of Darkness </i>stands in the middle of the two eras of the Tomb Raider saga, after the end of the classics and before its rebirth, first with <i>Legend</i>, <i>Underworld</i> and <i>Anniversary</i> by Crystal Dynamics and then with <i>Reborn</i>, <i>Rise </i>and <i>Shadow </i>by Square Enix. It was an unlucky game because at the time of its production the gaming technology had taken big steps compared to the previous decade, but still it had not reached the jaw-dropping heights that became a standard a few years later. It had so many innovative and interesting elements but its technical flaws prevented it from making a breakthrough to a bigger fanbase and thus creating its own legend in the Tomb Raider universe.</p><p></p>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-15618121217535937202022-04-19T08:59:00.003-07:002022-05-02T12:45:15.440-07:00Mother Miranda's Secret Manifestation and Other Theories in Resident Evil: Village<div><div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The two confirmed manifestations of Mother Miranda, the villain mastermind in <i>Resident Evil: Village</i>, are the creepy village crone and Mia Winters, Ethan's wife. But, as she herself confesses to Ethan during the final battle, she could take any shape and form that she wanted, listing a series of creatures that he may or may have not encountered on his way to find and rescue Rosemary. Technically, this means that, as Ethan went through all those impossible trials, Miranda could have been anyone or anything among the hordes of enemies and very few allies that he came across. Essentially though this was not exactly the case; Miranda was too busy trying to put everything in order for her ceremony that she definitely had better things to do than constantly shape-shift in the lycan-inhabited village. There is one person though whose form Miranda could have possibly taken, with this manifestation passing unnoticed due to the distinctive circumstances in which it might have taken place.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">When Ethan first arrives at the village, the first person that he meets is a terrified resident who very soon is grabbed and devoured by something that attacks from the roof. Minutes later, our hero listens to a radio transmission which directs all survivors to "Luiza's house near the fields". After surviving an attack by a group of lycans, Ethan bumps onto the local crone, who we now know is a manifestation of Miranda and who confuses him with her creepy riddles. As Ethan is about to reach Luiza's house, he finds Elena, a young girl hiding in a shack with her father, Leonardo, who apparently had been attacked and bitten by a lycan.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiC-6ZRs8xeT-Ttgz4mwxOLu153xQmSuUXKbWF_Mhn90NT0AzFjRMlk4EDxYLvVGXXfIRGjH6DCDcxcrMfdyNnd98N2u9ZYk-gk5XemQjORs-QM5C_k_PTWNTpVUOh_RiZfXQD1Ee60hcVH8DdXQ3c3PWAJSVZsweT2KvRMZJ9x7RqoxhVFLEEk-VZrg/s1280/20220418165128_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiC-6ZRs8xeT-Ttgz4mwxOLu153xQmSuUXKbWF_Mhn90NT0AzFjRMlk4EDxYLvVGXXfIRGjH6DCDcxcrMfdyNnd98N2u9ZYk-gk5XemQjORs-QM5C_k_PTWNTpVUOh_RiZfXQD1Ee60hcVH8DdXQ3c3PWAJSVZsweT2KvRMZJ9x7RqoxhVFLEEk-VZrg/w640-h360/20220418165128_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Elena is the first sane-looking human that Ethan encounters in this cursed place, so he instantly clings onto her for emotional support. He offers to help her and her father get safely to Luiza's house, opening the way for them since they are in an extremely dire situation. When they knock on the door, however, Luiza's gamekeeper, Iulian, refuses to let them in, his main concern being Leonardo's wounds that may attract the monsters towards their temporary shelter. At this point, Luiza arrives and orders him to allow Elena, her father and Ethan to get inside her house before sending him out in the fields to look for more survivors.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">When all but Iulian are safe in Luiza's living room, and after only a few minutes have passed, the lycan-bitten Leonardo suddenly turns and mortally attacks first Luiza and then all the other survivors, except Ethan and Elena who somehow manage to move towards the back of the house. As Leonardo is about to attack Ethan, Elena shoots him with a gun and saves Ethan's life. Moments later, during Ethan and Elena's eventful attempt to escape from the attic while the house is on fire, Elena tells Ethan that she hopes his family is safe, to which Ethan casually responds that they would all have the chance to meet each other once all this was over. Just then, Leonardo appears, calling Elena by her name, something that makes her drop her guard and run towards him. Within seconds, the burning floor collapses, burying both Leonardo and Elena in the flames below.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvTt17OBVVKG7s71VbjEnym67hUHHFl1NuETzGDAOYbLnWBRp_8SlXyR3aL7NZVKk2-D3i80t5wvdJr1wPRu-lThdBxdQrjPtMOMiOFI1EInEbhA08sZq4fDtxAnGO589v5l9JBK04uWIajjAlIzTX9DDiBfo8RZ4VRgYI-wOTLZKJBTigjB-SsT7gQ/s1280/vlcsnap-2022-04-11-01h14m13s410.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvTt17OBVVKG7s71VbjEnym67hUHHFl1NuETzGDAOYbLnWBRp_8SlXyR3aL7NZVKk2-D3i80t5wvdJr1wPRu-lThdBxdQrjPtMOMiOFI1EInEbhA08sZq4fDtxAnGO589v5l9JBK04uWIajjAlIzTX9DDiBfo8RZ4VRgYI-wOTLZKJBTigjB-SsT7gQ/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2022-04-11-01h14m13s410.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ethan leaves the house from the upper floor but just as he is about to exit to the fields, he hears a gunshot and a man's voice calling Mother Miranda's name. He opens the gate just in time to witness a mysterious figure, who now we know was Miranda herself, brutally killing poor Iulian then evilly laughing as she walks away. A bit further down, in the church courtyard, Ethan once more bumps onto the crone who again gives him the creeps with her sibyllic chanting.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Now let's switch our focus for a moment away from the main story, which is the hard road that Ethan has taken to find his daughter, and set it on the village itself. Except for the terrified old man who got killed as soon as Ethan met him at the start, most of all the other living souls in the village were already gathered in Luiza's house. The only missing ones were Elena and Leonardo. When Ethan found them, Elena confessed to him that when she knocked on Luiza's door, nobody answered. So apparently, Elena and Leonardo had attempted to get to Luiza before Ethan arrived, but no one let them in. Judging from what happened when they knocked again, with Ethan this time, quite possibly Iulian saw them and didn't want to allow them to enter. And when he finally did open the door, he even pointed his gun at them, making it very clear that they were not welcome in the house, because of Leonardo's injury.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFiB6N7uTsp1NoTpp66OlciKW0z037S_9KT4h_BPYiM9I30N9duj7O_toPIC_4__gWCzvJrJxJvMGY3rJwHveBokMrhJzXP4zoyCNOnZubRlsHZCEUs--Z9Ycv1X-V62t9bYGWBF17jd-LJG5g7jsmwWARCbjzKwRUZ9ounhnf4vcATCUmpkG3kKtHw/s1280/20220418165221_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFiB6N7uTsp1NoTpp66OlciKW0z037S_9KT4h_BPYiM9I30N9duj7O_toPIC_4__gWCzvJrJxJvMGY3rJwHveBokMrhJzXP4zoyCNOnZubRlsHZCEUs--Z9Ycv1X-V62t9bYGWBF17jd-LJG5g7jsmwWARCbjzKwRUZ9ounhnf4vcATCUmpkG3kKtHw/w640-h360/20220418165221_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">The whole scene that takes place in Luiza's house is quite intense, and there is a lot going on under the surface. People are arguing, crying, praying, shouting, but never nobody asks Ethan what he is actually doing in an isolated village to which he clearly doesn't belong. They acknowledge him as a stranger and an outsider but none of them expresses any wonder as to what business may a stranger and an outsider have in such a place which is, obviously, very hard to locate and reach. So the whole scene ends without anyone ever mentioning anything about why Ethan is in the village. Which makes it extremely weird and suspicious when Elena tells him, as they are climbing towards the attic, that she hopes his family is safe. How could she possibly know that he was actually looking for his family in the village? Since he was not a local, he could have arrived there for whatever other reason. The only way Elena could know about Ethan, since he never had the chance to mention anything himself, was if she already had heard about him, which is impossible since she and her father had apparently been stranded all this time.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gc6hz7uTaJiSrgHtHXNHD1X5QlRJ98kA2_cuTlm1sZhxxZ4eBPXPTOu3mxukoOL4ISIVlgJGO-w0N-82q1p5T7kEQWKUMAfgcxbrq6aEWjMPD5yMWqYbUAjzRnFYcOwm9D2MaPROvPKAHXUkhvEiUxPEANreBHOiQh0JQWiWik19fe8CUsljUBOhnQ/s1280/20220410121410_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gc6hz7uTaJiSrgHtHXNHD1X5QlRJ98kA2_cuTlm1sZhxxZ4eBPXPTOu3mxukoOL4ISIVlgJGO-w0N-82q1p5T7kEQWKUMAfgcxbrq6aEWjMPD5yMWqYbUAjzRnFYcOwm9D2MaPROvPKAHXUkhvEiUxPEANreBHOiQh0JQWiWik19fe8CUsljUBOhnQ/w640-h360/20220410121410_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">When Ethan first meets the Duke, he is surprised to hear that the eccentric merchant already knows him. When he expresses his surprise, the Duke replies with a cryptic "Anyone who is anyone has heard of the likes of you". Anyone who is anyone - not "everybody", not a humble peasant girl like Elena, not even Luiza, who seems to have once been a powerful figure in the village, but anyone with a higher status. Anyone who is anyone, like Miranda's four children, like the Duke and like Miranda herself. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">These peculiar details made me suspect that Elena could very well have been another manifestation of Miranda, who, in the process, was revealed to have done far more complicated things, so killing an innocent peasant girl, then shape-shifting to take her form and place would be nothing for her. My theory is that Miranda wanted to keep Ethan isolated without any potential allies around him. Seeing how all the survivors were locked in Luiza's house, she needed to find a way to infiltrate their shelter, since it was her perfect chance to eliminate everyone at the same time and make sure noone was left alive, but without revealing herself to Ethan just yet. So she somehow caused Leonardo's injury, which could have been very easy with all those lycans roaming the fields, knowing that sooner or later he would turn. At some point, she killed Elena and took her place without her father taking notice; she had already done it with Mia, so she knew very well how to repeat the process with success. Before Ethan arrived, she had tried to enter Luiza's house but Iulian refused to open the door. It is very possible that he did sense something weird about Elena, which made him be so hostile towards her. When Ethan arrived, it was the perfect chance for Miranda to make one more attempt to enter Luiza's house, and this time the plan worked. Under that light, it is not random that, excluding Ethan, Elena was the only person among the locals who managed to survive Leonardo's attack. When Elena / Miranda made sure that everyone was dead for good, she "sacrificed" Elena and then reverted to her original form. Once back in the fields, she bumped onto Iulian whom Luiza had sent out
before the tragedy happened. Ethan saw her killing the poor man, but not
before he managed to cry out her name. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4o_2fxYczywFaWVm1hci_m4g2xiN8CRGtEVUD6Apu8z_F9asUM1CLQ9dGuuMFp1e_KWmeSFBoD5iOH5yKN81IHTpbc0R3o9FAOi6zF8jjJvkzFSYWKCBRdlHypubyyWJ5Dee3X5qBn503et8WSySO-THUUARxbxucIQk9SlMX8MRCZfqCx6ZFU6eBqA/s1280/20220418162537_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4o_2fxYczywFaWVm1hci_m4g2xiN8CRGtEVUD6Apu8z_F9asUM1CLQ9dGuuMFp1e_KWmeSFBoD5iOH5yKN81IHTpbc0R3o9FAOi6zF8jjJvkzFSYWKCBRdlHypubyyWJ5Dee3X5qBn503et8WSySO-THUUARxbxucIQk9SlMX8MRCZfqCx6ZFU6eBqA/w640-h360/20220418162537_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Following my theory, Miranda had two reasons to kill Iulian with her own hands: one because if he remained alive he could become Ethan's ally and she didn't want that; and two because, unbeknownst to him, he had "disobeyed" her by refusing to let her in the house when she appeared at Luiza's door in Elena's form, and this disobedience was something that she could never tolerate. But there could also be another reason: maybe Iulian "caught" her during her transformation from Elena to her real self, which partly explains why he said her name before she killed him. So if Elena really was Miranda in disguise, she knew about Ethan already, meaning it is no surprise that she made that comment about his family. Of course Ethan was too overwhelmed with anxiety and fear to actually make the necessary connections, so he simply witnessed the tragedy of the villagers as one more dramatic incident in his life. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Elena being a manifestation of Miranda kind of ties with my analysis in the article <a href="https://www.strangedarkstories.com/2022/03/ethan-winters-unfortunate-hero.html">Ethan Winters, An Unfortunate Hero</a>, in that this theory may shed some light on whether Miranda actually knew something about Ethan being a bio-weapon. If she really appeared to him in Elena's form, planning to lure all survivors in Luiza's house and have them killed but leave Ethan alive on purpose, it could possibly mean that she at least suspected that he had super powers and she actually wanted him to get to her so as to be sure and decide what would be the best way to deal with him. Or maybe she did know that he was all mold, but by closely watching him during his interactions with Heisenberg, she realized that Ethan was too strong for her and she would be unable to control him like she did with all her other victims. She knew he would stop at nothing to save his daughter, therefore it would be impossible for her to make him part of her experiments in any way. So killing him would be the only solution for her, but since he had regenerative powers, she knew he would be able to come back to life anyway. She had to make sure to exterminate him in a way that would leave no room for regeneration, so she ripped his heart out. Still, he did manage to revive himself and even fight her afterwards, albeit with very little life left in him. That said, in the dramatic finale we never did actually see him die. We only saw him returning to the ceremony site and then, from Chris's helicopter, we witnessed the explosion down below. This is Resident Evil after all, so we can never tell for sure that someone has definitely died.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">If Miranda is a character defined by her dark secrets, the same albeit on a different level can be said about another mysterious figure, the Duke. Although his role is not new in the Resident Evil series, his predecessor, the Merchant in <i>Resident Evil 4</i>, was a neutral character whose part in the story was entirely practical: he would appear in the game's stages, usually positioned in safe havens or at least places that could not be easily reached by enemies, presenting an array of goods and equipment that Leon could choose from and arm himself accordingly. Leon had no other interaction with the Merchant who would only express his opinion about the guns that Leon would decide to buy from him. The Duke in <i>Village</i>, though, is an entirely different story. To begin with, we get a special cutscene when he first appears outside Alcina Dimitrescu's castle. The Duke is an obnoxiously obese man, whose clothing style seems to come from many years ago, yet as we have the chance to observe near the finale, his haircut is rather modern, with the lower back of his head being completely shaven. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcwopMPTUf-41186rkQo4jsz1c1glkLUSVUPzv--kOOx0FmiHgNUpAztwGOXE2ihryxhyoGsxMcDXfEOwxurMn0kM-bWjqcOin-4nV1UW-7hE4QaUZ9iJv3wfHcRruiA5Noz0AAO_RGBu5QpF-bUMibqDxCZJE873hjE4yZ89Bx4UmuJCy4jlEMcBtw/s1280/20220418155950_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcwopMPTUf-41186rkQo4jsz1c1glkLUSVUPzv--kOOx0FmiHgNUpAztwGOXE2ihryxhyoGsxMcDXfEOwxurMn0kM-bWjqcOin-4nV1UW-7hE4QaUZ9iJv3wfHcRruiA5Noz0AAO_RGBu5QpF-bUMibqDxCZJE873hjE4yZ89Bx4UmuJCy4jlEMcBtw/w640-h360/20220418155950_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Duke recognizes Ethan as soon as he sees him, and moreover he seems to know everyone in the region. As the story proceeds, he offers Ethan valuable information about Miranda and the four Lords of the village, as well as about the things that Ethan has to do and what he needs to look for. Additionally, he is obviously in good terms with at least three of the four Lords, since he can be seen in places where normally outsiders wouldn't have been exactly welcome: we find him in the Dimitrescu Castle, in Heisenberg's factory and in the heart of Moreau's Reservoir. He doesn't go near the Beneviento residence, though, which is quite curious, given that there is nothing truly lethal or dangerous in Donna's house, except for whatever creepy hallucinations are produced as an effect of her tricks; but the Duke would definitely be aware of all this anyway.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">When Ethan gets back to his senses after Miranda rips out his heart and after Eveline's revelation, he finds himself in the Duke's carriage, lying on the floor, while the Duke is riding at the front. Just then, Ethan asks the Duke who or what exactly he is, to which the Duke replies "Even I can't quite answer that". So really, who or what exactly is the Duke? Is he simply what he appears to be, a merchant who puts his financial interests above all so he doesn't care who he does business with as long as he has money to gain - which would explain why he is in good terms with both the good guy (Ethan) and the bad guys (the Lords)? Is his unusual appearance also a result of Miranda's experiments? Or is he something far more complicated? Is he truly how we see him though Ethan's eyes or, like with Miranda's case, he is a manifestation of something else? </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyvMGMm_6dz5_R5Pl7ZK54-wlfHIjRUcxD_U3NE_aXETRtPGhcieAi64cgONv5nrKxMlzMJH_NM9klRa9VKruBqZFWnDMs95Jwvz-lZNmgv44MLLNJToaLpkg2A7KUrSnsOl2MLKVUfcDvNXwBGxRTcdHeF1frRlcvgP_IF6_zX8jeSzQehdiGvyRkA/s1280/Untitled-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyvMGMm_6dz5_R5Pl7ZK54-wlfHIjRUcxD_U3NE_aXETRtPGhcieAi64cgONv5nrKxMlzMJH_NM9klRa9VKruBqZFWnDMs95Jwvz-lZNmgv44MLLNJToaLpkg2A7KUrSnsOl2MLKVUfcDvNXwBGxRTcdHeF1frRlcvgP_IF6_zX8jeSzQehdiGvyRkA/w640-h360/Untitled-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">If we attempt to decipher the Duke via clues offered by the game's scenario itself, there is one crucial keyword we could start from. When Ethan bumps onto him again after killing Alcina in the castle, it is when the Duke starts to be more talkative and to give more information to him, albeit he still speaks in riddles. At the end of one such conversation, Ethan gets frustrated and calls him "Joker". This characterization, on first look, refers to him seemingly making fun of Ethan, like the jesters did in royal courts in the very distant past. But the Joker also nods to the wild card figure that is always featured in a deck of cards. The "Joker" card serves as a balancing one, and can be used in a variety of ways when something is missing, or even as a means to bluff the opponent. It is a card that, plainly put, adapts to its "surroundings", corresponding each time to the rule that its owner sets. Similarly, the Duke assumes a series of roles in the story, depending on how he is needed to act. The peculiarity of his looks is there to highlight his obvious status, that of the merchant who always looks for ways to make money, meaning he is greedy enough so as to overlook other things, like the evilness of a customer like Alcina or Heisenberg, for instance. But when it comes to Ethan, his attitude becomes more friendly and more human. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">So could this mean that the Duke's attitude changes depending on who he deals with, or maybe that he is literally a wild card that takes up the role that its "owner" decides each time? Or does he even exist as we see him, in the first place? Ethan may not be aware of his own situation until near the end, but him being not exactly human definitely grants him with a power to see and feel things that normal people cannot. Given that he is the only one whom we see interacting with the Duke, we can not even be sure that the Duke is just how he appears. Mind you, in Chris's part of the story, there is no sign of the Duke at all. The last time that Ethan interacts with the Duke is when the latter transports him near the Ceremony Site in his carriage. When Ethan gets out of the carriage, we can see that it is led by a black horse. If seen from a distance, the carriage at that point looks like a Victorian hearse. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4BZgrFJVXZdjJdZb_OjCiWp_DrrXh3f9UHWb8wFZ-H-Ah3nU9cS91mV_tPGOpFJZ2bDtlN3aBHwmVr-2vnUPzOUC_6_Ap4u8aQtZDkPuigzrwUDEaUTYYKEX9dYe87fspxsTgE-XleA3uTjnn3FoXT_ykOh2iIhTbchYx5G8DG53hdcQTkhk1ZE3RA/s1280/h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4BZgrFJVXZdjJdZb_OjCiWp_DrrXh3f9UHWb8wFZ-H-Ah3nU9cS91mV_tPGOpFJZ2bDtlN3aBHwmVr-2vnUPzOUC_6_Ap4u8aQtZDkPuigzrwUDEaUTYYKEX9dYe87fspxsTgE-XleA3uTjnn3FoXT_ykOh2iIhTbchYx5G8DG53hdcQTkhk1ZE3RA/w640-h360/h.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Considering that, after this, Ethan confronts Miranda and then sacrifices himself in the subsequent explosion, we could assume that the Duke at that point in the story acts like the Grim Reaper, leading our hero to his death. But while the Grim Reaper is always depicted as a silent, skeletal figure with no human features, the Duke is obese, flamboyant and loud. In that part of the story, Miranda has already ripped out Ethan's heart, which means that Ethan is then in a sort of zombie state. From that point and on, the only entirely human being that he interacts with is Chris. Miranda is more or less like him, Rosemary has been ripped apart then put together again by Miranda; in that stage, Ethan has already crossed the boundary between the living and the dead. But since he had always been more dead than alive anyway, everything he sees, everything he says and does, is anything but normal, and things appear to him in reverse. The Duke could very well have been a manifestation of the Grim Reaper himself all along, appearing in front of Ethan as a figure seemingly opposite in appearance, but in the essence all the same. Isn't the Grim Reaper a merchant of sorts after all? In ancient Greek mythology, the dead were obliged to pay Charon, his counterpart, in order to be able to cross the river Styx to the other side. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Something that Miranda and the Duke have in common is that they were both introduced to us for the first time in <i>Village</i>, unlike someone else, a most familiar and beloved face, no other than Chris Redfield himself. Chris has been the protagonist or co-protagonist in several stories so far, and we know quite a few things about his stellar career, however very little is known about his and Claire's childhood. In fact we know nothing about the early years of the Redfield siblings, except for the fact that they lost their parents at a very young age. There is no information about how and where they grew up, and how they managed until they became adults.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjjXJgB3gzoOCeEvExcGpr5mThcDc75_7sd2C9AowWv8WBdpqylZZwvbQDRjKzc-Q7bxMrMwlc7-ix3iwKAvUOP9nB8BnljPs2NQ3oQXq2Tfe0Leg83gq0_yjuTkORG67RLjf4uHuXFMgrs4BMd1jB6Ba2F5Go5maY72shjz79h1nivg6JzFs0zEorg/s1280/20220310011102_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjjXJgB3gzoOCeEvExcGpr5mThcDc75_7sd2C9AowWv8WBdpqylZZwvbQDRjKzc-Q7bxMrMwlc7-ix3iwKAvUOP9nB8BnljPs2NQ3oQXq2Tfe0Leg83gq0_yjuTkORG67RLjf4uHuXFMgrs4BMd1jB6Ba2F5Go5maY72shjz79h1nivg6JzFs0zEorg/w640-h360/20220310011102_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After Chris saves Ethan and Mia and takes them away from Louisiana, he secretly locates them in an isolated region of Eastern Europe so as to keep them safe. But it is exactly in that place where the heart of Miranda's activities lies. The Megamycete, the fungus that she uses to carry out her experiments grows in the mountains surrounding that area. Even if Chris already had information related to this, it would be very unlikely that he would put Ethan and Mia deliberately in danger by having them live in a place so close to a most dangerous source. So why, from all the places in the world did he choose specifically that region for them to stay? One explanation could be that he indeed have information about Miranda and the Megamycete, but he couldn't leave Ethan and Mia without his protection, so he took them with him; this way, he would be able to investigate the case further while still keeping an eye on them. But even so, it would be too risky to have them exposed to such an extreme danger. So maybe there was another reason why he chose that specific country of Eastern Europe as a hideout for Ethan and Mia.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Since there is almost no information about Chris and Claire's early years, we cannot even be sure that "Redfield" is indeed their real surname. Because they are both so strong and imposing characters whenever they appear in a game, you rarely ever - if at all - enter into the process of wandering about their past. Could it be possible that Chris had his own reasons for picking that specific part of the world to relocate Ethan and Mia? Maybe something personal, something about his past. Consider that one of the promo images of the game features him in a rather cryptic collage, his half face being replaced by that of a wolf. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbP4W8YX0EiyCz4xXbUTsgUL0zaWpmppzVgS8LjxaRSmNYNGp7HaM6VhWR3JOVULOYd3itS-6YK_O8idvcGCetOAEyxFXPchhNmmu3pJ80sL2Fa7G4PurDfvz_9KVN1k8_1CthoWs0lpSsS074fGfXYscnCvPYAiTNSTGZqLUBbZlSNVHfSX6I3E4Ag/s1280/Untitled-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbP4W8YX0EiyCz4xXbUTsgUL0zaWpmppzVgS8LjxaRSmNYNGp7HaM6VhWR3JOVULOYd3itS-6YK_O8idvcGCetOAEyxFXPchhNmmu3pJ80sL2Fa7G4PurDfvz_9KVN1k8_1CthoWs0lpSsS074fGfXYscnCvPYAiTNSTGZqLUBbZlSNVHfSX6I3E4Ag/w640-h360/Untitled-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The symbolism and imagery of wolves are both very strong in the story and play a great part in its development: the name of Chris's rogue team is Hound Wolf Squad, his own professional alias in it is Alpha (as in, the Alpha wolf, the leader of the pack), and the respective aliases of his team mates are also related to wolves. And of course there are the lycans, the terrifying creatures that inhabit the once peaceful village and its countryside, that are, in their essence, werewolves. These two depictions of the wolf, like a representation of the "good Wolf, Bad Wolf" idea, have both a realistic and an allegorical interpretation. The realistic one has to do to the story itself: the literal lycans that both Ethan and Chris encounter, and the actual name of Chris's team. The allegorical interpretation pertains to the psyche of the two protagonists and how it changes as the story progresses. Ethan is, on a first level, the "good wolf" from the start until the end; he is the good and clean hero, set on a journey to save his daughter. On a second level, however, after it is revealed to him that he is actually mold inside, his human substance collapses and although him being a bio-weapon doesn't make him necessarily bad, it still makes him potentially extremely dangerous. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Chris, at the beginning, seems to be the "bad wolf", what with killing Mia in front of her husband without explanation. Gradually however, as the truth comes out, he assumes his well-established and pre-determined role as a protector and savior. Therefore we could say that both sides, the "good" one and the "bad" one exist equally in Ethan and Chris. But although Ethan is not responsible, so to speak, for his "bad" side, Chris's case is far more complex. There is something undefinedly dark about him, something that keeps him distant and mysterious, something marginally unworldly. His presence in the game carries a vaguely ominous aura, as if there are things connecting him with that place that he would rather not share with anyone, not even his own team.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Among the various interesting journals and notes that Ethan finds in the Castle Dimitrescu, is one featuring a list of tasks written possibly by someone in charge. One of the names that appear in that list is "Rednic". </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsyB9_IGH3yCwOovBK_8nbkVJj2K-zk0c-NNsj44_4HwVOjwSreW9cNpt3hHZSe4kv1urLtdd16wn6BIoLNV25l5wlQ74a8bsvDabw_ztVF3MmgjPKtkKdEFfrRcPcrZbYauJ2JgrOpNmDU3CHW70zgzsaVAZfEG0s8Ijm1uEcix7LX1gIL9aT-LasQ/s1280/20220418160154_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsyB9_IGH3yCwOovBK_8nbkVJj2K-zk0c-NNsj44_4HwVOjwSreW9cNpt3hHZSe4kv1urLtdd16wn6BIoLNV25l5wlQ74a8bsvDabw_ztVF3MmgjPKtkKdEFfrRcPcrZbYauJ2JgrOpNmDU3CHW70zgzsaVAZfEG0s8Ijm1uEcix7LX1gIL9aT-LasQ/w640-h360/20220418160154_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Although "Rednic" and "Redfield" have no common root or meaning, their sounding is cunningly similar. Could it be that Chris and Claire had ancestral roots in the area, and their surname was initially Rednic, then after moving away and relocating in the USA, they changed it to Redfield? Probably keeping the first part as a reminder of their origin, but changing the suffix to make it sound more neutral as far as the ethnic identity was concerned. If this is the case, there could still have been relatives of theirs in that area, who not only were involved in what was going on in the Castle Dimitrescu, but had something to do with the lycans as well, thus connecting Chris with his "wolf" self, his decision to give that specific name to his team and the respective aliases to himself and his partners, and to which the image depicting him as half-human / half-wolf may hint. As an additional side note, when Alcina Dimitrescu was human, she suffered from a hemoglobin deficiency, due to which she needed to consume blood on a constant basis in order to survive, which is why she became an actual vampire after her mutation. This disease, more commonly called vampirism, is also known under the scientific name "Renfield syndrome", which unavoidably alludes to Chris and Claire's surname, and maybe this is not something random.<br /></p>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-21252031800417582812022-03-14T13:22:00.009-07:002022-07-31T11:30:01.387-07:00Art In Video Games: Classic, Contemporary and Folk Art in Resident Evil Village<p style="text-align: justify;">Like several games of the Resident Evil saga before it, Village also has its fair share of art to showcase, only in this case its galleries are a bit more varied. There are the favorite and always present elements of classic art, others of modern art, but additionally this time, since the game takes place in the Eastern Europe, there are also elements of folk art and culture as well.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The main stages where we come across pieces of art in the game are Ethan's house, the Castle Dimitrescu, the House Beneviento, and the main village section. Unfortunately neither Moreau's Reservoir nor Heisenberg's factory have any art to exhibit, although it would have been so interesting to see the possible artistic taste of those two characters.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ethan's house is simply decorated with collections of photographs depicting rural scenes, family snapshots and a few pieces of modern art.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">There is a photograph of a snowy forest that can be seen in several spots around the house, which kind of foreshadows the upcoming adventure:</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdhWAZTaJ5eX_gYDwHOcvIrLFPtxv8f2Am_J8KMX5n_jgOZNd0hZGaQ3AtaoHi_u1dBnr_iH1VIlIIhyCrMDxIU10TTqij54CuFB8rTE70JyZ3IxIqRnbUGU4G0q5vDQR0U84NMp2FaRKNC2ILDzh3R8YRzjEIkxtA_DrEoSiWMnP4sAgZ08ruB0XSiA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdhWAZTaJ5eX_gYDwHOcvIrLFPtxv8f2Am_J8KMX5n_jgOZNd0hZGaQ3AtaoHi_u1dBnr_iH1VIlIIhyCrMDxIU10TTqij54CuFB8rTE70JyZ3IxIqRnbUGU4G0q5vDQR0U84NMp2FaRKNC2ILDzh3R8YRzjEIkxtA_DrEoSiWMnP4sAgZ08ruB0XSiA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">There are several artistic corners where the photos and paintings are arranged in groups, like above the fireplace, where there is also a small statuette of a weeping angel which again foreshadows the tragic events in Ethan's life. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiv_u0iPml3KBZUa0qVRPXGlJ9xSfWtRF4V9ku41hp2mZMjUsxJr37TFH5OcBGAzDGEZzifd6JvJeCSDHRemGfrMUj_Mz6yxs5dTlWa9PekOgjHPf18FNEWAO4ANSwcqm0iIyZArCkIqOBPeQKFX4pflL6WZYvJWMSpVat-ETQMgYxxClvjnZFTtqx6Rg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiv_u0iPml3KBZUa0qVRPXGlJ9xSfWtRF4V9ku41hp2mZMjUsxJr37TFH5OcBGAzDGEZzifd6JvJeCSDHRemGfrMUj_Mz6yxs5dTlWa9PekOgjHPf18FNEWAO4ANSwcqm0iIyZArCkIqOBPeQKFX4pflL6WZYvJWMSpVat-ETQMgYxxClvjnZFTtqx6Rg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">On the walls of the house, there are sets of photographs and modern art that seem to have been put up almost randomly. There are photos of flowers, mountains and fields, quite possibly depicting places of the region where Ethan and Mia live at the start of the story.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaSqYsRAu9iZsIAMmEY8v7OUKBxaALkJ0dDR2Od-2SgioApoYHSvgwIH6S7IJ2o_n1Mi9S0tkD4KMM_mbV3s43FZwudHY1LrZvZfhiENZqRC-ikKH4BY2-GW5-pnW9HMycm_ZKVW7cV9fgwn87XC95TKExjgSfh_J1HMTdlIOTqAaOaaOer7TVHHY-Uw=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaSqYsRAu9iZsIAMmEY8v7OUKBxaALkJ0dDR2Od-2SgioApoYHSvgwIH6S7IJ2o_n1Mi9S0tkD4KMM_mbV3s43FZwudHY1LrZvZfhiENZqRC-ikKH4BY2-GW5-pnW9HMycm_ZKVW7cV9fgwn87XC95TKExjgSfh_J1HMTdlIOTqAaOaaOer7TVHHY-Uw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Some of the photos, like that of the red sunset, do create an uneasy feeling, however.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzD0SYwYPoZCNm955szmJPpiRvI2hM4a3OaKWxJrrkPRuf8ejbonY-y0fMfx1k7Oe4dfgmJMme4mXTtrOS-TWi2yU5WnP6LU8t__g4S8Fd_fKAuIZYEEGYtzFgssPZDoKBXKfCTFlwEquwYy8Yo3OKcFgBIyX3B-CrI__8_RM6WeOo1Yr10GFpG6exvw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzD0SYwYPoZCNm955szmJPpiRvI2hM4a3OaKWxJrrkPRuf8ejbonY-y0fMfx1k7Oe4dfgmJMme4mXTtrOS-TWi2yU5WnP6LU8t__g4S8Fd_fKAuIZYEEGYtzFgssPZDoKBXKfCTFlwEquwYy8Yo3OKcFgBIyX3B-CrI__8_RM6WeOo1Yr10GFpG6exvw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>There is an abstract painting with gloomy colors that can be seen in more than one places:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6mr-_E2AlVC4wYQbSbiRRjkVI5iVNY7fi3M4QFvqVlEO0Irj2qgWh5FdHjdJF-KFIMfHciMTyHRO4BG-RbW5krOxI5HBmricuEQSRYgaPq-IBII2xyflKaeRnRnxaDk-NIPc9kGp8zbKCiPnpWBdyVceJxUgInSefo_D_NgAJUTGI5NhyWm1qCf8m0w=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6mr-_E2AlVC4wYQbSbiRRjkVI5iVNY7fi3M4QFvqVlEO0Irj2qgWh5FdHjdJF-KFIMfHciMTyHRO4BG-RbW5krOxI5HBmricuEQSRYgaPq-IBII2xyflKaeRnRnxaDk-NIPc9kGp8zbKCiPnpWBdyVceJxUgInSefo_D_NgAJUTGI5NhyWm1qCf8m0w=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p>Another abstract painting in deep red color decorates another wall: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjohlAqngi61qjDK0OLBIU9TAoPMxmSQ7HnOKCFp0vxfdWogQpjv9zcYS833X8xaO9D-7VwMet1LwUDv0hdpX2qHVly3fl6KCCtjLZmJT_Vvp60j_hP14h16bRtETvGGTvUhbvrXDNLBjHVClDA1TIl3Dzlm2kcp-8dVQf9PU8_zNECdQzclFGe3lzpkg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjohlAqngi61qjDK0OLBIU9TAoPMxmSQ7HnOKCFp0vxfdWogQpjv9zcYS833X8xaO9D-7VwMet1LwUDv0hdpX2qHVly3fl6KCCtjLZmJT_Vvp60j_hP14h16bRtETvGGTvUhbvrXDNLBjHVClDA1TIl3Dzlm2kcp-8dVQf9PU8_zNECdQzclFGe3lzpkg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p>There is also a painting of a bouquet, which looks a bit out of place, considering the overall style of the house's decoration:</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyWHsybEs-hwxKZ-VZ_2G5mxHtemrNJOqaNijIiL0e7vYt0ZJkSUExUygqWgDWJVCKBMx8D5ekIn-G2iqUuiTpWaGZTL-ukqqDJVBfKGe-K_xHoy9_fxQ8i8JmTHu9nRxD9k1kA_J6K-qbaf0x6-VyLjVR5fMwWXc27vVrTWxs08_HRUb_h0IRcWLmFQ=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyWHsybEs-hwxKZ-VZ_2G5mxHtemrNJOqaNijIiL0e7vYt0ZJkSUExUygqWgDWJVCKBMx8D5ekIn-G2iqUuiTpWaGZTL-ukqqDJVBfKGe-K_xHoy9_fxQ8i8JmTHu9nRxD9k1kA_J6K-qbaf0x6-VyLjVR5fMwWXc27vVrTWxs08_HRUb_h0IRcWLmFQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p>This seems to be in the style of art like <a href="https://i.imgur.com/UM3Mu0b.jpg"><span>Flowers in a Glass Vase by </span></a><span><span><a href="https://i.imgur.com/UM3Mu0b.jpg">Rachel Ruysch</a> (</span>1704).</span></p><p><span>The Winterses also seem to have an extensive collection of decorative plates in folk style:</span></p><p><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbH8iTROjAxh6V3E6z5nDO3C2yVsw-wyraQcgWBHRyrRhKG24Dk0HC3pV1Q_A8LQKiY1UrvJ8zYh31at4C1Sr7USHu3MpKnNh0GQ3OL6uP3jD93TV_rmXX21Iu6C49N0i2IKh4tUYKnLucyfjD0iphdlbKBLvtrp0mbXOsnvaEoLMJpWYTbTaNFANUzA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbH8iTROjAxh6V3E6z5nDO3C2yVsw-wyraQcgWBHRyrRhKG24Dk0HC3pV1Q_A8LQKiY1UrvJ8zYh31at4C1Sr7USHu3MpKnNh0GQ3OL6uP3jD93TV_rmXX21Iu6C49N0i2IKh4tUYKnLucyfjD0iphdlbKBLvtrp0mbXOsnvaEoLMJpWYTbTaNFANUzA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p><span></span> </p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">When Ethan arrives in the Castle Dimitrescu, the first painting that he sees is a giant portrait depicting the three Dimitrescu daughters, Bela, Cassandra and Daniela.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRitrYTu0PAhMdAvvyFJwvA4DFPOzy1E4nbh-jDoMN9XCGc-RCKZ3pWZKIwj6h1SVFHBSXhWinukRE1ZiZ745Dfo9uceMqdePXqAx5IK4TPRN_h3Hfc3aoQRuxjXjs1GII7dmQMQEa6_GPF6ldXsSo38WX1lcJhNQme3zbRENqr6_-vz9JaJlcjdR4ig=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRitrYTu0PAhMdAvvyFJwvA4DFPOzy1E4nbh-jDoMN9XCGc-RCKZ3pWZKIwj6h1SVFHBSXhWinukRE1ZiZ745Dfo9uceMqdePXqAx5IK4TPRN_h3Hfc3aoQRuxjXjs1GII7dmQMQEa6_GPF6ldXsSo38WX1lcJhNQme3zbRENqr6_-vz9JaJlcjdR4ig=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is an existing painting called <a href="https://i.imgur.com/6RPU3gg.jpg">The Three Robinson Sisters, by George Theodore Berthon</a> (1846). This is one of the very few paintings that can be seen in only one spot, on this specific wall in this empty room.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the corridor outside, there are two more portraits depicting two men, possibly supposed ancestors of the Dimitrescu family.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJ456x7XjsZIfOns1uJ06md7JNMPMio8HDW2M-xiAzCMAAWPh6fWosGPYso_ArSQCFbyF-K2a1w_Zm9qOXYjEbBE4HDG3cp7dL0OcOoYbNbqvzxjcAIp7yDo9HGqrdTr99P2F6RWkGF12_w-BMALqDyq5biJp-Ljr7OejMsQERQMJdj6uic3u0OhjAcQ=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJ456x7XjsZIfOns1uJ06md7JNMPMio8HDW2M-xiAzCMAAWPh6fWosGPYso_ArSQCFbyF-K2a1w_Zm9qOXYjEbBE4HDG3cp7dL0OcOoYbNbqvzxjcAIp7yDo9HGqrdTr99P2F6RWkGF12_w-BMALqDyq5biJp-Ljr7OejMsQERQMJdj6uic3u0OhjAcQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">These are among the many portraits and paintings in the castle that can be seen on several walls in rooms and corridors, and both of them are also existing paintings. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The upper one is in fact a combination of two paintings: The body is from the portrait of <a href="https://i.imgur.com/klePz2o.jpg">Marcotte d' Argenteuil by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres</a> (1810) and the head is from the portrait of <a href="https://i.imgur.com/emfZTZC.jpg">Léon Riesener by Eugene Delacroix</a> (1835). A tribute to Leon Kennedy, perhaps?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The lower one is a portrait of <a href="https://i.imgur.com/WzFeQFd.jpg">Hungarian musician Franz Liszt by an anonymous artist</a>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Closeby is a painting depicting a gloomy castle, possibly alluring to the very same castle we are exploring.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiZ8puN2l-KhPnuJ4o5oP4QHgNqLT4DmbH4yKKKbAV9RuJW0jWgunIg9EUQPB2Yo5bXJIky2AngnnW6me4of5bUKb7zHBTrLr8_vbcR7Qh2SkbvB963S0elWnD5cqRkfZ6oC1TrdeJBMfxcVKtKCmqWInsnq7g_8V5sRGPl14qvybdx3IKrd6QsBO2FA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiZ8puN2l-KhPnuJ4o5oP4QHgNqLT4DmbH4yKKKbAV9RuJW0jWgunIg9EUQPB2Yo5bXJIky2AngnnW6me4of5bUKb7zHBTrLr8_vbcR7Qh2SkbvB963S0elWnD5cqRkfZ6oC1TrdeJBMfxcVKtKCmqWInsnq7g_8V5sRGPl14qvybdx3IKrd6QsBO2FA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This again is an existing painting, called <a href="https://i.imgur.com/0CizZSc.png">The Enchanted Castle, by Claude Lorrain</a> (1664). This painting is said to have inspired British Romantic poet John Keats to write his poem "Ode To A Nightingale". It is one of the many paintings that can be seen on many walls in the castle.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Similarly, another painting that appears in many rooms and places is this one depicting a nautical scene:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBzszWc2Kw_lUqaEvXn3zh39b7SbV100YuilbDxpBFwbTzjnBLNAtFQEcl9JNz0-NpmD5D0MHm6OgolQm6teLTG8qIrgC9g-5g8JN-6mwceoLjstYyIUR1pNJ5HO30pMecBkw7ubUeWi5qkW5BpZy_0vmRFXZxe8LOzLXXeejk86ORIldfSuvrD6LqbA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBzszWc2Kw_lUqaEvXn3zh39b7SbV100YuilbDxpBFwbTzjnBLNAtFQEcl9JNz0-NpmD5D0MHm6OgolQm6teLTG8qIrgC9g-5g8JN-6mwceoLjstYyIUR1pNJ5HO30pMecBkw7ubUeWi5qkW5BpZy_0vmRFXZxe8LOzLXXeejk86ORIldfSuvrD6LqbA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Which is also an existing painting called <a href="https://i.imgur.com/gdStAKQ.jpg">Barges on the Volga by Fyodor Vasilyev</a> (1870), although if you notice carefully, you will see some extra details have been added, probably to make it look more eery and match the atmosphere of the castle.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the room that's next to the one where Ethan finds himself hanged up after the Dimitrescu ladies attack him, there is a spooky painting entitled "Maidens of the Harvest".</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx2-kxpQAeco-gDN32fB9aly_uvoQ2nVq31jto8VXsbzbG_VU_pJvR_0ZUzYkTFALibKlIymVhAB_3u9zkUxf2c0xlLlNnZd9o8z4HAnFsxJafhxePqVNXbToAY1ZvunrSD_2dBifEntWKmMj8EsZa7lsSiHIiVfMWeumkn11mGwUqsICZ1GSulBCYFQ=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx2-kxpQAeco-gDN32fB9aly_uvoQ2nVq31jto8VXsbzbG_VU_pJvR_0ZUzYkTFALibKlIymVhAB_3u9zkUxf2c0xlLlNnZd9o8z4HAnFsxJafhxePqVNXbToAY1ZvunrSD_2dBifEntWKmMj8EsZa7lsSiHIiVfMWeumkn11mGwUqsICZ1GSulBCYFQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This painting is clearly made specifically for the game, its title reflecting the way the members of the Dimitrescu family "harvest" victims (which also is marginally literal, if you consider that the daughters usually carry a small sickle). It seems, however, to have been inspired by the painting <a href="https://i.imgur.com/RxuCVi9.jpg">Nymphs Dancing To Pan's Flute, by Joseph Tomanek</a> (1920). It is one of the unique paintings in the castle.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the same room, there is a circular portrait of a girl, which also can be seen on various walls.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiszbVtGa4nxPmsIstM3qnIb1RTjIlT2kt56bTgH7jM6kBykPF_ZxrK_6coOtDABNkZNJc4pztZSMvhP52-SjPCCLfw_1Ll_KN8daudq2w_kjGM2JXCBtEzeuuLEPPR2gi5GAxLNWDmPa3WMplWmkM3xnvVjEBzM-YE5llcVnaZ1xxoAUqMnDR6_Fwp-Q=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiszbVtGa4nxPmsIstM3qnIb1RTjIlT2kt56bTgH7jM6kBykPF_ZxrK_6coOtDABNkZNJc4pztZSMvhP52-SjPCCLfw_1Ll_KN8daudq2w_kjGM2JXCBtEzeuuLEPPR2gi5GAxLNWDmPa3WMplWmkM3xnvVjEBzM-YE5llcVnaZ1xxoAUqMnDR6_Fwp-Q=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It is yet one more existing painting, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/xDc6d0Q.jpg">The Tambourine Girl, by Friedrich August Kaulbach</a>. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Above the fireplace in the same room, there is an imposing portrait of a lady holding a cup of tea.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy1uQ1OpXA42YTmBFSoV0xodv-SZitFWbquGgZkjY6KnGrYUuyUNPSVfzZ-UibIPxzO9pL13ilKee-fqOwOZ7m_3j3rndwqCfoiflFDIKKlRk04P5LgdcM5NuSeMuk4ctAhHVGUooMiByp8flFwF-qgEnGRry-tjiHX7lLXM3Q-L12leRTfvCKdXQzTQ=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy1uQ1OpXA42YTmBFSoV0xodv-SZitFWbquGgZkjY6KnGrYUuyUNPSVfzZ-UibIPxzO9pL13ilKee-fqOwOZ7m_3j3rndwqCfoiflFDIKKlRk04P5LgdcM5NuSeMuk4ctAhHVGUooMiByp8flFwF-qgEnGRry-tjiHX7lLXM3Q-L12leRTfvCKdXQzTQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This again is a combination of two existing paintings: the body is from the portrait of <a href="https://i.imgur.com/cg9H4WI.jpg">Mary Chamberlain by John Everett Millais</a> (1891) and the head is from the portrait of <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Geg6Inc.jpg">Maria Alexandrovna by Winterhalter</a> (1857). </p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the same room, which looks like a gallery of sorts, we can have a better look at a replica of Liszt's portrait.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaO1Rs2GLOCzeWuEKz5MKlsE6KkKSniIPkRsw4KHw7_mzuIXfcO2_mdZtZ8CLZOknEOtIDtrmgWx8bbErmv8F6f-DxrFtHFylapgomb4SdSSMDDi04ZvfZ_UjWlYB-9eWv2VEw4V5wEzULa4Q6mlBViEvAMNKnDWGFGh30jejPKz5kRcEyyd5s4mRo6g=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaO1Rs2GLOCzeWuEKz5MKlsE6KkKSniIPkRsw4KHw7_mzuIXfcO2_mdZtZ8CLZOknEOtIDtrmgWx8bbErmv8F6f-DxrFtHFylapgomb4SdSSMDDi04ZvfZ_UjWlYB-9eWv2VEw4V5wEzULa4Q6mlBViEvAMNKnDWGFGh30jejPKz5kRcEyyd5s4mRo6g=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>As well as a replica of the Marcotte d' Argenteuil / Léon Riesener portrait in better spot and light:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi48Rz0GhgwgCkcAkKZ_HK3pgDndy-HITOtuALOJAK22RyfskE182yDfyzhE5F7KRn4PWdfO-nG1zO7GEjZI6-Eo02FU-5PxdCJxJPdO26dbSPvzO26a8mtSluHk3iLwM1leR9JO-Y5PGDkFvHtnbCn5NpmvZygAB89C9MD2UCRc98hOgerN0UrUbwALw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi48Rz0GhgwgCkcAkKZ_HK3pgDndy-HITOtuALOJAK22RyfskE182yDfyzhE5F7KRn4PWdfO-nG1zO7GEjZI6-Eo02FU-5PxdCJxJPdO26dbSPvzO26a8mtSluHk3iLwM1leR9JO-Y5PGDkFvHtnbCn5NpmvZygAB89C9MD2UCRc98hOgerN0UrUbwALw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">On another wall of this room, there is a large painting which can be seen on plenty of walls in the castle. It depicts a hunting scene, showing a man (possibly a hunter or a gamekeeper) who is having his horses rest while three Spaniel dogs watch playfully nearby.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-acaiFvmYulZFMD6xNKcpbm51eQW13czqYhY0ZU7zL4Xr-tS34Gu-Z3mTm0WvuNMUAm_tvBnnBvtHfxS9DbCka-9EUVZYPAahtvdGIkcj1P9WiQ_2pzXkoN1_pS7UIjVDkB68iSR2Jnfqd6qhZRlN7Sw4gId7nwKt040OVwT9vB2y1xCIseBKtNIXPA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-acaiFvmYulZFMD6xNKcpbm51eQW13czqYhY0ZU7zL4Xr-tS34Gu-Z3mTm0WvuNMUAm_tvBnnBvtHfxS9DbCka-9EUVZYPAahtvdGIkcj1P9WiQ_2pzXkoN1_pS7UIjVDkB68iSR2Jnfqd6qhZRlN7Sw4gId7nwKt040OVwT9vB2y1xCIseBKtNIXPA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Although this looks like an existing painting, no exact or even remote match can be located anywhere; the artistic style does look familiar, however, and its theme can be found in several paintings of the 16th - 17th century, like in <a href="https://i.imgur.com/INsn5oO.jpg">A Grey Hunter with a Groom and a Greyhound at Creswell Crags by George Stubbs</a>, or <a href="https://i.imgur.com/p19FFMF.jpg">The Gamekeeper by an unknown artist</a>. What is weird about the painting, however, is that the man is not dressed like a hunter or a gamekeeper, and I couldn't help but notice that the posture of his head and his facial expression and features resemble a lot those of Maja in the drawing <a href="https://i.imgur.com/wQBI6js.jpg">Old Beggar and a Maja by Francisco Goya</a>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the corridor outside that room, there are several of the paintings we have already seen in the castle, but the most prominent one is that of a smiling girl in a red dress, which showed up first in the anteroom of the main hall, but here we can see it more clearly.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9wHSxPptm6fxMT-c6-OEGI2qiXUd2AbhBWZXAUVNBW2_Qn7FXgN7XhWAkM7FKTNOpu9Q9SsxBzIOsdAwpV5TzSGVZBtjaEpirgHbcSKNiWphMEsWx4IrmaZGbR2Fmdf0T6Ht2Q3HKDWDXbGf8_rRXxamxDeQJEUQkjYsfzG8LYTWzYDvHzatm86RyTw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9wHSxPptm6fxMT-c6-OEGI2qiXUd2AbhBWZXAUVNBW2_Qn7FXgN7XhWAkM7FKTNOpu9Q9SsxBzIOsdAwpV5TzSGVZBtjaEpirgHbcSKNiWphMEsWx4IrmaZGbR2Fmdf0T6Ht2Q3HKDWDXbGf8_rRXxamxDeQJEUQkjYsfzG8LYTWzYDvHzatm86RyTw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Again this is a combination of two existing paintings. The body is from the portrait of <a href="https://i.imgur.com/AFlSIdu.jpg">Judith by Eglon Hendrick van der Neer</a> (1678), with the color of the dress changed to red, and the head is from the painting <a href="https://i.imgur.com/wQmk8Bq.jpg">La Printempts (Spring) by Emile Vernon</a> (1913).<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">On the upper corridor of the main hall, there is a big portrait of a man, which also can be found on several other walls.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5UkViX2JQpVFEccHRqa0i8DQFpE6_gvrKqO6qmFWWaGe6v9rOKJ06eUsZoVg1H75Zc5bGTjkO_HEAmM3yifI1ip7BXSCOilduSu_b_I0n0ppKe-FUIVgXlxclIJm0O7XIP4ENHDOJKLCqNyZo5aIoBBS5hzt0uTSudsQBp_C1yoL33a3n4uaadZoXBg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5UkViX2JQpVFEccHRqa0i8DQFpE6_gvrKqO6qmFWWaGe6v9rOKJ06eUsZoVg1H75Zc5bGTjkO_HEAmM3yifI1ip7BXSCOilduSu_b_I0n0ppKe-FUIVgXlxclIJm0O7XIP4ENHDOJKLCqNyZo5aIoBBS5hzt0uTSudsQBp_C1yoL33a3n4uaadZoXBg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It doesn't seem to have an exact match with a real painting, but it is very similar to many existing ones, like the portrait of <a href="https://i.imgur.com/QQ2JNLq.jpg">John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester</a>, or that of <a href="https://i.imgur.com/QTWLWGW.jpg">Heneage Finch, 1st Earl of Nottingham</a>, both by Peter Lely.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The artistic style changes abruptly in the Tasting Room, which is only decorated with two small paintings. </p><p>One rather dark and eery, depicting a lake scene:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK0FYJKeSgGHYqI0EymRIqhscf7HLGiLvtp8e5UbKULgICABQciARd4igo1ESvqMZea0jYpMNeVUtVNjIUWB8ZFMgBMX100cSnK6Z7t2ZAwmuzPhFQ85YShFBkO25d1mp8AmRb1zLgGspulRfxUIN7WjH3j3hEp-WyUMu4pw-loU3dFQLn-8lLIdaAcg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK0FYJKeSgGHYqI0EymRIqhscf7HLGiLvtp8e5UbKULgICABQciARd4igo1ESvqMZea0jYpMNeVUtVNjIUWB8ZFMgBMX100cSnK6Z7t2ZAwmuzPhFQ85YShFBkO25d1mp8AmRb1zLgGspulRfxUIN7WjH3j3hEp-WyUMu4pw-loU3dFQLn-8lLIdaAcg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>And one that resembles the bouquet painting from Ethan's house, only in this one the flowers look like they are melting:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitGJAs9ggV4PpO6f5NjgH-I2RxYIyQT1IT5AgpbJgR7znElY4IBO7eG9xjMRiAs7UgErsR3vZtUaZBe9K6BGTqyXa8grwYgBgRHN-zO2rHoxBFJ5s9i8VJWgcF95lbiAYtbBrCUdiBrU1JaOdGDl4QLc_tDInu0WhAM4DXa8JdAppa57EEnmGWwv2bFQ=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitGJAs9ggV4PpO6f5NjgH-I2RxYIyQT1IT5AgpbJgR7znElY4IBO7eG9xjMRiAs7UgErsR3vZtUaZBe9K6BGTqyXa8grwYgBgRHN-zO2rHoxBFJ5s9i8VJWgcF95lbiAYtbBrCUdiBrU1JaOdGDl4QLc_tDInu0WhAM4DXa8JdAppa57EEnmGWwv2bFQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The dining room is decorated with familiar paintings like The Enchanted Castle and the Mary Chamberlain / Maria Alexandrovna portrait:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi441I_2aO0LGyh1_d0744X4e4AXVBAkizF0l19EbmjGAGBYD9G5jbDrvM0urHa9l_ZA3i-1TY34_YCCqsS1w4APJ3I3N7MIVFmWg4f8xpmBducGR8QAreGFnFSX5ovcHONfbb_MSKuQ6IWZTw54_Rqqy3sAVwKPvznqMtc_HhbjfLIAereuL3AX0O_Cw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi441I_2aO0LGyh1_d0744X4e4AXVBAkizF0l19EbmjGAGBYD9G5jbDrvM0urHa9l_ZA3i-1TY34_YCCqsS1w4APJ3I3N7MIVFmWg4f8xpmBducGR8QAreGFnFSX5ovcHONfbb_MSKuQ6IWZTw54_Rqqy3sAVwKPvznqMtc_HhbjfLIAereuL3AX0O_Cw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /> The Tambourine Girl also shows up on a side wall:<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjndJ4hX9jqDPqrIv9uCcV2tEv006LTk8OmSl3GVUPUwGntWTvyPiAu1O8pNrtBBzFR7bs6jVyF0IBmhYvT_uPwt__GTTn7n_-CP-dO3Yayq44AE5q9bjkaP9lO5cTsLH1m0DV4Ebohthgzvft4WtjQV8GqV_01o6sIBJq5tGZRUk7UHgS7Ee1TZ8OwQ=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjndJ4hX9jqDPqrIv9uCcV2tEv006LTk8OmSl3GVUPUwGntWTvyPiAu1O8pNrtBBzFR7bs6jVyF0IBmhYvT_uPwt__GTTn7n_-CP-dO3Yayq44AE5q9bjkaP9lO5cTsLH1m0DV4Ebohthgzvft4WtjQV8GqV_01o6sIBJq5tGZRUk7UHgS7Ee1TZ8OwQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>And the Barges on the Volga painting is above a cabinet:<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnoDFPmLXEpDtBpLB4GR2wb5mmqvnyyZK287g2AUolUYlNy9CbJV6r0OJh79CCJA7bw7amvkViTRSZoBaJ0XSgxhxFDr4Y76WqDkDG89EQb_jQJj8OV3_c3pNnFIxX0NF13knEJKcAHJ6XdTxJ6E9n33-LdlSn9qqBLx9Haj8qCQmZ3TlbJ3K2IOVzMA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnoDFPmLXEpDtBpLB4GR2wb5mmqvnyyZK287g2AUolUYlNy9CbJV6r0OJh79CCJA7bw7amvkViTRSZoBaJ0XSgxhxFDr4Y76WqDkDG89EQb_jQJj8OV3_c3pNnFIxX0NF13knEJKcAHJ6XdTxJ6E9n33-LdlSn9qqBLx9Haj8qCQmZ3TlbJ3K2IOVzMA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br />In the main hall just outside the dining room, there is a creepy photograph on a cabinet, depicting a lake on the shores of which are hanging what seem to be dead bodies:<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg62LZd0Jnhkl6SVit7yvxRbTLtBwipbf7ffVPs0ivrIz2L3sSuOaAnHLNiR65Rhf1QuN9q7orgUP6DAjIOvnlqy_3sTnJr3Iglen1EMQpsw-9yHP1KcrVxTCpWoJRjs0mFy4S2JsBeIlcUlPJ_Ivyc071ZVXO9dj5TSCtqZy3fJgDuLjwcmH1CjkNlbw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg62LZd0Jnhkl6SVit7yvxRbTLtBwipbf7ffVPs0ivrIz2L3sSuOaAnHLNiR65Rhf1QuN9q7orgUP6DAjIOvnlqy_3sTnJr3Iglen1EMQpsw-9yHP1KcrVxTCpWoJRjs0mFy4S2JsBeIlcUlPJ_Ivyc071ZVXO9dj5TSCtqZy3fJgDuLjwcmH1CjkNlbw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>In the wine room, there is again Liszt's portrait:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1hlpTZSBmHKCq_IdXfG8X5KLvYpaLezbTKDX44GzgHWNEkqxIpp6XzBovmFr5BHGb0Yumi9H2GJOxsDxXo-F6D8BLr8rLkdQx0_z1oMMNzO9PAH2uGhw1VJ6Ra9nLW6QRFo3JxL4A8gxVJXLDnJkSdaMITx6Vp96GTY3gzXi0eu9NxI9a6wuMCWJ8Yg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1hlpTZSBmHKCq_IdXfG8X5KLvYpaLezbTKDX44GzgHWNEkqxIpp6XzBovmFr5BHGb0Yumi9H2GJOxsDxXo-F6D8BLr8rLkdQx0_z1oMMNzO9PAH2uGhw1VJ6Ra9nLW6QRFo3JxL4A8gxVJXLDnJkSdaMITx6Vp96GTY3gzXi0eu9NxI9a6wuMCWJ8Yg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /> And there is also the Marcotte d' Argenteuil / Léon Riesener portrait:<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVbe69cNvxgTbVqyKMS-82SfE1pYpbgu6h7_PX3e4ZfySkIzsfqtfDcayDN7UEkH__exx_srObi1tfZ2q98UWsUQW2SF7oGTZtdK028ys28asWl8p757FlwMntbK08qc5AlVx16M8jFyzJqmCmE5zh12eQHcYB0eNr5h4joryui-3tOSz4SXKvvom1ZA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVbe69cNvxgTbVqyKMS-82SfE1pYpbgu6h7_PX3e4ZfySkIzsfqtfDcayDN7UEkH__exx_srObi1tfZ2q98UWsUQW2SF7oGTZtdK028ys28asWl8p757FlwMntbK08qc5AlVx16M8jFyzJqmCmE5zh12eQHcYB0eNr5h4joryui-3tOSz4SXKvvom1ZA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">While looking for Dimitrescu's chambers, Ethan goes up a staircase where, next to a replica of the Enchanted Castle, there is a tapestry with an Ancient Greek theme:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizf1JE2N4rXfShMz4BwLiLiu-W_AMsmeJakqt_7wRJcgiLlrpQeKpdsHHpru2D-XsGhEwIVZQYacPLCRzeK-mdrZlksNdlfLKGhd_NVJbWTO7wAibvv-ltrYq2RvpMEdzq89BhBLhfvvKVYGYPunAlhu8ySSnNfA1FeMFSNsV6yEfjcpqPMCy_4FmlEQ=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizf1JE2N4rXfShMz4BwLiLiu-W_AMsmeJakqt_7wRJcgiLlrpQeKpdsHHpru2D-XsGhEwIVZQYacPLCRzeK-mdrZlksNdlfLKGhd_NVJbWTO7wAibvv-ltrYq2RvpMEdzq89BhBLhfvvKVYGYPunAlhu8ySSnNfA1FeMFSNsV6yEfjcpqPMCy_4FmlEQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>This is part of an existing larger painting, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/YX3LRrC.jpg">T</a><a href="https://i.imgur.com/YX3LRrC.jpg">he Intervention of the Sabine Women, by Jacques - Louis David</a> (1799). <br /></p><p>In a small room near Alcina's private chamber there is another impressive tapestry hanging on the wall.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiiLg0J69Z1OMI7rGWqj5jzK0H2MIleoLQRb-WX_xwRv36pevQpi7T5fSsmqhQsHg4Df7id2XamtpR_dHJrq0uEhWqlK0cJoJnvmbS51onmVIA7mClak2OjQmLQIIq1c3VhxcSpJFPiaeXmOiJ_iJK-b8HmvF1a1bLyCksb7AfSOD2IpXMxf6aQs85kg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiiLg0J69Z1OMI7rGWqj5jzK0H2MIleoLQRb-WX_xwRv36pevQpi7T5fSsmqhQsHg4Df7id2XamtpR_dHJrq0uEhWqlK0cJoJnvmbS51onmVIA7mClak2OjQmLQIIq1c3VhxcSpJFPiaeXmOiJ_iJK-b8HmvF1a1bLyCksb7AfSOD2IpXMxf6aQs85kg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The same tapestry can be spotted along the staircase leading to that wing of the castle, and its motif is an existing one. It is <a href="https://i.imgur.com/XKS5LHH.jpg">a handmade Aubusson tapestry from the 16th century</a>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the Opera Hall section, there is a painting depicting three people, two standing and one crouched down:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwhFuI7uuw4DmHZzrmuSsuWS0XoordK-X2GcSdt2GB5cn7V1IeukQ0CnoGkVfhfSVmlQPx-Bmb7mfP80BISnXOpa2Yq7sg4vKgDef_ZhhHVhNftjNwfpcB3kY-AWNI8NqeiKWR4u1OLu5jkS9ENyor0jdIuteUrD5c8Q-Nd0xIv8KV7HnVvM3F3Qr-LA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwhFuI7uuw4DmHZzrmuSsuWS0XoordK-X2GcSdt2GB5cn7V1IeukQ0CnoGkVfhfSVmlQPx-Bmb7mfP80BISnXOpa2Yq7sg4vKgDef_ZhhHVhNftjNwfpcB3kY-AWNI8NqeiKWR4u1OLu5jkS9ENyor0jdIuteUrD5c8Q-Nd0xIv8KV7HnVvM3F3Qr-LA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is yet one more combination of two paintings. The three people's bodies are from <a href="https://i.imgur.com/3R4WuWC.jpg">St John The Baptist Baptizing The People by Nicolas Poussin</a> (1635), while their heads are from the painting <a href="https://i.imgur.com/AuFnP0l.jpg">Et In Arcadia Ego</a>, again by Nicolas Poussin (1637).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the room with the defunct labyrinth there is a headless bronze male statue next to a small painting depicting two harps and a lyre.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNBNO48aTqBYG_aUTLnU2AWgeKlcF7Zfl38v9lw3Nud0RxTxBpxlFBsqzCI7rPzUb9e2j-4DnPqWtY_Qe6YShQUaVgtvD6mHWyEKWgRPlqtRAGJdgCkc2rJHJQ20ylFx9M0qlVCogjMLExygMI_qy6Sgu-H9ozlfRihjbo0paNXH9BP4Y4L0xFGMWqew=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNBNO48aTqBYG_aUTLnU2AWgeKlcF7Zfl38v9lw3Nud0RxTxBpxlFBsqzCI7rPzUb9e2j-4DnPqWtY_Qe6YShQUaVgtvD6mHWyEKWgRPlqtRAGJdgCkc2rJHJQ20ylFx9M0qlVCogjMLExygMI_qy6Sgu-H9ozlfRihjbo0paNXH9BP4Y4L0xFGMWqew=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>In the Atelier room, there is a painting which is actually the hint to solve the bells puzzle.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIF9vI3GOTAvcWJ2glW47z6DAGvVa23lwujjZ1xP8mAAC6drxPfMJx8wQMp4KkpR-PEvUUsdlosP0utRvNfH6CArgBdzNQ2LNWtnREmOn4s8z5LLJR5ehglqZLti4rWIFGp1SI0sw5Wtxhd7lrpn7lX4ZjWGOrbKnw_DgdsYPIL1ItBFvKv_BBUxuE3g=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIF9vI3GOTAvcWJ2glW47z6DAGvVa23lwujjZ1xP8mAAC6drxPfMJx8wQMp4KkpR-PEvUUsdlosP0utRvNfH6CArgBdzNQ2LNWtnREmOn4s8z5LLJR5ehglqZLti4rWIFGp1SI0sw5Wtxhd7lrpn7lX4ZjWGOrbKnw_DgdsYPIL1ItBFvKv_BBUxuE3g=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>In the same room, there is also the compelling giant portrait of Lady Dimitrescu.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin9kg-lc3YIBXgbiThM5Ujoer6Y2a8aAKVNalqO_LZ4l0bL7YsMJGLYI2gtVtm4kLZGRQG2RMKl-w03ZpUJvhLPMg8hLXu2UGLteH6Uvcyiev22vAAU5PjKmtUnJTnz2Q5jawCFkUhaMV2yEIWFMPCDZhwFLTb16NBvE050FVe3CFFC67tsBurjJiNKA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin9kg-lc3YIBXgbiThM5Ujoer6Y2a8aAKVNalqO_LZ4l0bL7YsMJGLYI2gtVtm4kLZGRQG2RMKl-w03ZpUJvhLPMg8hLXu2UGLteH6Uvcyiev22vAAU5PjKmtUnJTnz2Q5jawCFkUhaMV2yEIWFMPCDZhwFLTb16NBvE050FVe3CFFC67tsBurjJiNKA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>This was apparently made specifically for the game, and it is one of the unique paintings that appear in one place only.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the same room there are some marble busts, which also appear in several places throughout the castle as well, but what is maybe the most interesting find in this room is the stuffed thorn-back tortoise, which is like the one from the collection of Chief Irons in Resident Evil 2 Remake.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdsXbjms6_Ez34m8ZHiGbqka3IMWF7vjkcMngUOPKI5u7w2mTnKwJVPQDktYt2VI5iHaQuZpunHas4xlWRe0t-KqKPH3eWspTpTzGEX1-vMlKDiIvuehB331wQjGgk1l4xy7DyGVIydPay7n6d3CM9O24s1dYAo7ZrKBRWGEXo6xubqsduAi77LW_w_Q=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdsXbjms6_Ez34m8ZHiGbqka3IMWF7vjkcMngUOPKI5u7w2mTnKwJVPQDktYt2VI5iHaQuZpunHas4xlWRe0t-KqKPH3eWspTpTzGEX1-vMlKDiIvuehB331wQjGgk1l4xy7DyGVIydPay7n6d3CM9O24s1dYAo7ZrKBRWGEXo6xubqsduAi77LW_w_Q=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /> In the attic, there is a a headless bronze female statue:<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbx8BVpcfVCIR4S_rP0_o5J6wOMHxlyISyZPo-TkMomCF-ffGBknsE-6BmearD2I5iHUT9c2YjHJ7FaD9kYaitLQLKJu1oJHszNHPqepMqgHoCQpREwLHx6cPGhYLoQpYKZPnjHlmL2FdkHfeM6m8gLkE3QcOl5FgfBWr3d-1kZzjokBxyMlUf4Kpncw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbx8BVpcfVCIR4S_rP0_o5J6wOMHxlyISyZPo-TkMomCF-ffGBknsE-6BmearD2I5iHUT9c2YjHJ7FaD9kYaitLQLKJu1oJHszNHPqepMqgHoCQpREwLHx6cPGhYLoQpYKZPnjHlmL2FdkHfeM6m8gLkE3QcOl5FgfBWr3d-1kZzjokBxyMlUf4Kpncw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>There is also again a headless bronze male statue, next to a vase with a tribal motif:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkHQq3R4EGWItLyJn205qJTj_iY_DbmSf09nUVSqSd5hNC6wtGG8CcHLmMdg23F1NbvZNcdT3ZkbmXH9UsWWAx6-OSaMT0npS_GxE5xBAi645HfAe3W0kNhx6qjMhPpQCiCKlIm5h1fnRtxttoJP1n16E_hZLyM1Tel_PiPzxqAh4Exojy8wF0BB2z4w=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkHQq3R4EGWItLyJn205qJTj_iY_DbmSf09nUVSqSd5hNC6wtGG8CcHLmMdg23F1NbvZNcdT3ZkbmXH9UsWWAx6-OSaMT0npS_GxE5xBAi645HfAe3W0kNhx6qjMhPpQCiCKlIm5h1fnRtxttoJP1n16E_hZLyM1Tel_PiPzxqAh4Exojy8wF0BB2z4w=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>There are more statues around the castle, mostly marble. They can be seen in the halls:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn-wTGxt_T5zOLW8m_2RMWZFN65Y-dwHYnx7QxiSnwERNj_kENu4uS6RVoABkEE-3NVbkAVNUT0vsCGOu27xjiHLgspekF16EpvK-w-W7V7W1e_cde887FgAAnDX98TqHfQ_3kjmibYud6XtRJd6Mq_w-6p0bp_ohjclOweWBq7zPeblp51azVqDck9A=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn-wTGxt_T5zOLW8m_2RMWZFN65Y-dwHYnx7QxiSnwERNj_kENu4uS6RVoABkEE-3NVbkAVNUT0vsCGOu27xjiHLgspekF16EpvK-w-W7V7W1e_cde887FgAAnDX98TqHfQ_3kjmibYud6XtRJd6Mq_w-6p0bp_ohjclOweWBq7zPeblp51azVqDck9A=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Also in puzzle rooms, like the Hall of Ablution:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNF2tN7qa2HQ8UDFjAD-Ut9UUdA1P8-QJTbZ1ZLT0xyHbQjsw6H92OmR0pEXBQ2RvGuasHZwjEQsFt5q3cZMdOrV8FMKxUEGoAO-K9jnZcVY7tNjJnz8lYhHKrqV7wlxiHDg3usO2WSNnKFTnmD9OeQoO-YMdlqEnms9UjGfQOWXnwIicYaFEdXH4Feg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNF2tN7qa2HQ8UDFjAD-Ut9UUdA1P8-QJTbZ1ZLT0xyHbQjsw6H92OmR0pEXBQ2RvGuasHZwjEQsFt5q3cZMdOrV8FMKxUEGoAO-K9jnZcVY7tNjJnz8lYhHKrqV7wlxiHDg3usO2WSNnKFTnmD9OeQoO-YMdlqEnms9UjGfQOWXnwIicYaFEdXH4Feg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Sometimes they are used to frame doorways:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs8EKnsAfwFvn9WypRppIRxbqN0WaNrCLgHqeMf-O2jxf24eLd7Onm15LJD1Oya42wzlQZWzpl8X7Wk1oYGDwxX4ERuks6te9FmsKswXofUwxD5sFFqCMZX_pyFwMUNG_6PHwhojAJuIe2s4gtK4__R6s8XOMm8FkNpOG0Ac-g7zD1s-l4HHYqPVtepg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs8EKnsAfwFvn9WypRppIRxbqN0WaNrCLgHqeMf-O2jxf24eLd7Onm15LJD1Oya42wzlQZWzpl8X7Wk1oYGDwxX4ERuks6te9FmsKswXofUwxD5sFFqCMZX_pyFwMUNG_6PHwhojAJuIe2s4gtK4__R6s8XOMm8FkNpOG0Ac-g7zD1s-l4HHYqPVtepg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The original receptacles holding the four angel masks needed to open the exit are also statues depicting what look like scenes of sacrifice:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyZySDz_QNDflHXqfkLSKqLwJKlsBke8cGaCFKPx3QgN6v1FTraC8S5oMwHkYwMKFfsP3ut3nscORY_3wtMyRpdhbMgBiwOMKfCyjv-lY7HdYTjAYcuyNrVOGPm1GeDvtiBpHZ61QpqE3EV0aRReksCqJSzMrJO6SPgaFOcBi8qwnfmnctxbKFBJPsAQ=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyZySDz_QNDflHXqfkLSKqLwJKlsBke8cGaCFKPx3QgN6v1FTraC8S5oMwHkYwMKFfsP3ut3nscORY_3wtMyRpdhbMgBiwOMKfCyjv-lY7HdYTjAYcuyNrVOGPm1GeDvtiBpHZ61QpqE3EV0aRReksCqJSzMrJO6SPgaFOcBi8qwnfmnctxbKFBJPsAQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Castle Dmitrescu seems to be in a completely different vibe from the rest of the village, the humble houses of which have nothing of the ostentatious luxury of the Dimitrescu residence. Their narrow interiors are mostly decorated with plates similar to the ones seen in Ethan's house:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgd_4kwe1zL65QIo8RaxQ6uAwo2tn5sqSXkXUimIvb5RgA1QK3DVB6cS7G9rQjx9-MO1RH5XWsnyJBmIk50zxGsnk_5T7_JRSp5nSpbqHZCuKW_BkMagCC7XkkjZJvbFjy2xYiZTiqlqfB3Gb2DScSTuL8304kUHFKR0LBVCO0K-1CH8rZ7x7Qpf-SzpA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgd_4kwe1zL65QIo8RaxQ6uAwo2tn5sqSXkXUimIvb5RgA1QK3DVB6cS7G9rQjx9-MO1RH5XWsnyJBmIk50zxGsnk_5T7_JRSp5nSpbqHZCuKW_BkMagCC7XkkjZJvbFjy2xYiZTiqlqfB3Gb2DScSTuL8304kUHFKR0LBVCO0K-1CH8rZ7x7Qpf-SzpA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br />A common painting found in several houses is that depicting two adorable cats: <br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7GetAWWXvn0edJF9Lv4UGBJoKXouhx9aVfM593AFjGjJ8qz5YWfaV0Nu1nk8LIfGrbvwmjCvsZIEa3cBEN2LwA4vuBxX8sIFs3zuBjsBxnW1Ep3rB8XtSpCIIDf0RmjV80miRgScuamw4WfCIeo7v7ysM6ozOI2cfaIK1ex0CUmr7HCZO4BM9mNyTeg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7GetAWWXvn0edJF9Lv4UGBJoKXouhx9aVfM593AFjGjJ8qz5YWfaV0Nu1nk8LIfGrbvwmjCvsZIEa3cBEN2LwA4vuBxX8sIFs3zuBjsBxnW1Ep3rB8XtSpCIIDf0RmjV80miRgScuamw4WfCIeo7v7ysM6ozOI2cfaIK1ex0CUmr7HCZO4BM9mNyTeg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the first house that Ethan explores, there is a painting with a floral motif, quite possibly folk - inspired:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_GNtaq2SsmTEFVr0SUFvUsWJEgqwk5djJ32UplpyApKS9f55Oe0Wgyq2xdWJlRfXEX4VrmYbsZkY8LxyvQVxcnij-9yGtB75A_4oghkfQC3ZqdgQke9-gMNlpd64wv3OYuZr-0NYQj4j270-BBO_EwqDzk9AcLY-Rn2pJ-bzDhJJONDFj0_WJFhDuvg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_GNtaq2SsmTEFVr0SUFvUsWJEgqwk5djJ32UplpyApKS9f55Oe0Wgyq2xdWJlRfXEX4VrmYbsZkY8LxyvQVxcnij-9yGtB75A_4oghkfQC3ZqdgQke9-gMNlpd64wv3OYuZr-0NYQj4j270-BBO_EwqDzk9AcLY-Rn2pJ-bzDhJJONDFj0_WJFhDuvg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the houses there are also vintage photographs depicting domestic scenes, like this one showing a woman working at her loom:<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiP5rBcXZHhSevOWbeptaLg_lsE7Lh1NfUhj7RbRJr6npWMOuFvWlCoiakQJpTXkV0bC5LYiHCgprA03VFIwqSVbcfN_bLxspDI_N0sprO3oIoylLNC-7Nzf_kJU_qAyCgSBi7smm69QVOFOkhpkXpqW5zhLU48czYibHlEQz7TM8F18_F1LzvYSK_ybw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiP5rBcXZHhSevOWbeptaLg_lsE7Lh1NfUhj7RbRJr6npWMOuFvWlCoiakQJpTXkV0bC5LYiHCgprA03VFIwqSVbcfN_bLxspDI_N0sprO3oIoylLNC-7Nzf_kJU_qAyCgSBi7smm69QVOFOkhpkXpqW5zhLU48czYibHlEQz7TM8F18_F1LzvYSK_ybw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br />Other photographs depict rural activities, like this one where a woman is feeding her ducks:<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3IB2mPB38qUmou_Hxm0dFr2l85tblfj1g1ATTe-SmUgY-rRSSY4dcsJKd18I9bMdVB0pCY9fs9W3kQsy3TN6lY6pK7kc2EXpxcCGrIzFhPG5EaL4f_3bWAIlvH7bLhBKDNEBSqAP4Lf5F43iyOaJq1unmRz5xpg-_reXIabYtsSG8bq9r10fuiZzfiQ=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3IB2mPB38qUmou_Hxm0dFr2l85tblfj1g1ATTe-SmUgY-rRSSY4dcsJKd18I9bMdVB0pCY9fs9W3kQsy3TN6lY6pK7kc2EXpxcCGrIzFhPG5EaL4f_3bWAIlvH7bLhBKDNEBSqAP4Lf5F43iyOaJq1unmRz5xpg-_reXIabYtsSG8bq9r10fuiZzfiQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In that first house, there is also a painting of a lake scene with a cabin at its shore, a scenery which resembles the area outside the castle where Ethan arrives after leaving the battle stage with Alcina.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi27toqSvBXxr1vKaGBq8iqk10bLIcnDJ845PX_qgUNsGk9YdUMXyhvfiQkvt69Dn5GXBVNXmOxk5XHLWzFPvBMTgmQojzNAK38i_7-VJCvD14QKnCEYcbZRdb2XexXp0_TjaZDMfISJ7BnWDwYNMumyZ0LQ6vup1IQA6GNUZcUjwvg4PzEkE8UFaukpg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi27toqSvBXxr1vKaGBq8iqk10bLIcnDJ845PX_qgUNsGk9YdUMXyhvfiQkvt69Dn5GXBVNXmOxk5XHLWzFPvBMTgmQojzNAK38i_7-VJCvD14QKnCEYcbZRdb2XexXp0_TjaZDMfISJ7BnWDwYNMumyZ0LQ6vup1IQA6GNUZcUjwvg4PzEkE8UFaukpg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Due to Mother Miranda's influence over the area, there are several pictures in the houses depicting religious themes, and most of them can also be seen together in the church:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1Bfspf79yiirfrwz2KRWa2pgiXfvDcnjyUT7Q-2H2O8-W0Hj5AitEPAP6iWoyzaIUMR3-hDyRYolK_damrCemkJSPmPNPVMLZsaMPjfBMzzNUepawDmRVaAbqLz9ycSP_PXmTy8S5BQXX3-wWSqzU5-Go8NgZz95OKwAubXyFLc_pGBqVQ4bH_rUhIg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1Bfspf79yiirfrwz2KRWa2pgiXfvDcnjyUT7Q-2H2O8-W0Hj5AitEPAP6iWoyzaIUMR3-hDyRYolK_damrCemkJSPmPNPVMLZsaMPjfBMzzNUepawDmRVaAbqLz9ycSP_PXmTy8S5BQXX3-wWSqzU5-Go8NgZz95OKwAubXyFLc_pGBqVQ4bH_rUhIg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The church itself is decorated on the exterior with byzantine iconographies:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhr4FyqetOCLQajefmd3Gti2WtV_nnVFx0X2HXRtPBkw8aITGQqu0eMsQz93gwCxzSu7YyuSVBs8jTCkeMBIIdvExTZF1g7_rgXKirsy_rET6UYbca9Hxzjfve9hSvTEuhZ6yCAVZtM5VqwS8TkoIpsJ6FGxVhqGU9T-S29pMf72UYy8dfYom3lmKu9wA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhr4FyqetOCLQajefmd3Gti2WtV_nnVFx0X2HXRtPBkw8aITGQqu0eMsQz93gwCxzSu7YyuSVBs8jTCkeMBIIdvExTZF1g7_rgXKirsy_rET6UYbca9Hxzjfve9hSvTEuhZ6yCAVZtM5VqwS8TkoIpsJ6FGxVhqGU9T-S29pMf72UYy8dfYom3lmKu9wA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">While outside, in the main village area, there is a statue of a girl holding a shield and a sword. She looks like she is supposed to be the guardian of the village:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4irhr53JfQasRnJoPd5w56i3eyzspM8C2Ly0Un1wd8HVanPfv3LFq7oEdTiQYpM1VcLcntjsPxPNPcyfp9YWo8vwUQ4Y6gx3MYoHzQNUUuiAv9fQd9m104K_2bijc-PFcmKtXsTeJ3bNdShW0F0j1sssRDKYOmErtlPAvKMYRVyHUeo3oGRJrzVk0KQ=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4irhr53JfQasRnJoPd5w56i3eyzspM8C2Ly0Un1wd8HVanPfv3LFq7oEdTiQYpM1VcLcntjsPxPNPcyfp9YWo8vwUQ4Y6gx3MYoHzQNUUuiAv9fQd9m104K_2bijc-PFcmKtXsTeJ3bNdShW0F0j1sssRDKYOmErtlPAvKMYRVyHUeo3oGRJrzVk0KQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">She is the same girl depicted on the Maiden crest which Ethan has to place on its receptacle together with the Demon crest, in order to complete the mural and open the gate leading to the castle:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfzKRT5ARrOpJhQKRqpzqKyigu7YWxtEUt-8eFqgpFgJX3ZE522UUfltG69SviTxrGVzncyb03hY7SCflKKyKUsV2zj6E2g2MwgZiyzF_B81xVnhLmVHfguwk5rixyg0qLEr6VcgNfUAmuOJGxgdecAZzOJn52R4ffy5SS4Bt-mA_GOXl_UhxgZwlZeA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfzKRT5ARrOpJhQKRqpzqKyigu7YWxtEUt-8eFqgpFgJX3ZE522UUfltG69SviTxrGVzncyb03hY7SCflKKyKUsV2zj6E2g2MwgZiyzF_B81xVnhLmVHfguwk5rixyg0qLEr6VcgNfUAmuOJGxgdecAZzOJn52R4ffy5SS4Bt-mA_GOXl_UhxgZwlZeA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The only house which looks a bit more well-to-do than the others, is Louiza's house, not only because it is evidently bigger but also because of its more elegant and artistic decoration.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Louiza even has one of the modern art paintings that we saw back at Ethan's house:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCejTh3ZhVib1Tbbs2NmHwlWB3NcHAR_mqd4Ez6DXDonTlZURGrr68_2DKix2FwuWCHn51DcDk7MYkxwYQEVh8nOXglF7Rdm5QXYyuhSXF5TbO4OBXiB8gwlwVRjNyhbNjmksOGOK63Vo_NAGW0mXpJjHt-yYqNddu2gMOj40uxmLXKvMqYJY_XTP7Rw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCejTh3ZhVib1Tbbs2NmHwlWB3NcHAR_mqd4Ez6DXDonTlZURGrr68_2DKix2FwuWCHn51DcDk7MYkxwYQEVh8nOXglF7Rdm5QXYyuhSXF5TbO4OBXiB8gwlwVRjNyhbNjmksOGOK63Vo_NAGW0mXpJjHt-yYqNddu2gMOj40uxmLXKvMqYJY_XTP7Rw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">She even has the portrait of Liszt and the one of Marcotte d' Argenteuil / Léon Riesener. Maybe she's also related to the Dimitrescu bloodline?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyNem3t-lQEd6K6D0SNOrk-NWrikQWqEX92XdrJnjVLgUhviVZfilnG8Du-ZiMufExNFcudYde6KXiBBII9--G5eS_5vUOW_yX0v0kBNDwrjStI51GFTDtPbZRC1exNqOOI10u_AAeX6AU2hWXqXBrrm2dO9Qn5l7FMLiZe3mzs5LbQUK4YaIByt07Xw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyNem3t-lQEd6K6D0SNOrk-NWrikQWqEX92XdrJnjVLgUhviVZfilnG8Du-ZiMufExNFcudYde6KXiBBII9--G5eS_5vUOW_yX0v0kBNDwrjStI51GFTDtPbZRC1exNqOOI10u_AAeX6AU2hWXqXBrrm2dO9Qn5l7FMLiZe3mzs5LbQUK4YaIByt07Xw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In Louiza's house, we can also see the photographs depicting rural and domestic activities found in the rest of the houses, as well as the painting of the eery lake with the cabin:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh91y39IR3OOPQ_AiFGKMk9feM41MO1zPGIlXokhW2pb4vrGIKRr2rBw3cNp8wWRi7bGG3wJ-zEApjSOAZIKMQtBGODDgFt0YnQSCZfd0WOUBJP4s8hKAtuzsOcHxg4WdQ2pnWOro5XCHG9xCTv31XKQO2bTHbk38GZVoEPPVV0qfukspn9gBOd6z1QPQ=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh91y39IR3OOPQ_AiFGKMk9feM41MO1zPGIlXokhW2pb4vrGIKRr2rBw3cNp8wWRi7bGG3wJ-zEApjSOAZIKMQtBGODDgFt0YnQSCZfd0WOUBJP4s8hKAtuzsOcHxg4WdQ2pnWOro5XCHG9xCTv31XKQO2bTHbk38GZVoEPPVV0qfukspn9gBOd6z1QPQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">There is also one more photograph that we first saw in Ethan's house, the one showing a snowy forest. Probably it's a local trend to have that photo hanging on your wall.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEji7bb1Wh7Z-9opo9tMlPuiI71TGgmhV4mt5mjP5QG_Oyzi9OtPmoTGYfleWzRpXCUthnbRF7CzVjLcvE5tTo3rHuO5RXGm_0Q4AQ2XmvuIbLOSvTXvN9j-ZzgiEcg78fyZSXceoPcbJAFlzHADSMpEkXnaNrKmpjjCw3-B7fdft3V6v32q6Eqj8mlljg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEji7bb1Wh7Z-9opo9tMlPuiI71TGgmhV4mt5mjP5QG_Oyzi9OtPmoTGYfleWzRpXCUthnbRF7CzVjLcvE5tTo3rHuO5RXGm_0Q4AQ2XmvuIbLOSvTXvN9j-ZzgiEcg78fyZSXceoPcbJAFlzHADSMpEkXnaNrKmpjjCw3-B7fdft3V6v32q6Eqj8mlljg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Louiza has more modern art in her house: a classic-looking Still Life and a abstract painting with a bizzare geometrical shape:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3hn19mBjslWgOoOhfm5nNZ2Ls_fL8j25mM89oHrv30-vN8ua6eMsQc_nw2_aj3pPJCFCr45E0r-heJfoN8hvOtA04Molo7ugeaJJRIuRL8f5tW8B9b2Rv0a_p0Gx2IP71cUGa2r98hRIdl0k8KWYGz2J-xW44dJNL3_I5bMTPklU4sFEFwR2nwu_i0Q=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3hn19mBjslWgOoOhfm5nNZ2Ls_fL8j25mM89oHrv30-vN8ua6eMsQc_nw2_aj3pPJCFCr45E0r-heJfoN8hvOtA04Molo7ugeaJJRIuRL8f5tW8B9b2Rv0a_p0Gx2IP71cUGa2r98hRIdl0k8KWYGz2J-xW44dJNL3_I5bMTPklU4sFEFwR2nwu_i0Q=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the infamous house with the red chimney, where Ethan finds an important item, there is a vintage wedding photo portrait of a couple:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjF9nz8VuGLUSilqDRK7dQI9X0mQ-P6OYSIyM1TgZDHmOQtqa4KJQ1VR3P-7_S6NlR6NgfssOOusvBYWbcyMIYyDEbkAqaLJaGknt_S7ZbYX0PwEoOFhNjK1BazwtmNyZVrAGRoLrpOHuizltEEQAC2ZO-zprzzmFoXrKWNM82p5KMYrEJULQ599hhYaw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjF9nz8VuGLUSilqDRK7dQI9X0mQ-P6OYSIyM1TgZDHmOQtqa4KJQ1VR3P-7_S6NlR6NgfssOOusvBYWbcyMIYyDEbkAqaLJaGknt_S7ZbYX0PwEoOFhNjK1BazwtmNyZVrAGRoLrpOHuizltEEQAC2ZO-zprzzmFoXrKWNM82p5KMYrEJULQ599hhYaw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In Luthier's house, there is a calendar which looks like it has violins painted for every month. Luthier was a craftsman who made violins and other string instruments, so naturally his house has several such elements in and around it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjM25hUoCKYt1B9JDNV4EUZNYa7co3H0pfGulp5gu0laddWqB5zKt5xSbdxaycvzkRHF1GhSah3S6OJlXDa-DlGy8bAILWW5myCEzyPwZhW_ohUWT1v8i87De2bANj6zImwokgPSZniY1TxFUFy0N1h6uGz4RHTgc0tS-xDq8DxfqoTtaTYzcKS_TLIFA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjM25hUoCKYt1B9JDNV4EUZNYa7co3H0pfGulp5gu0laddWqB5zKt5xSbdxaycvzkRHF1GhSah3S6OJlXDa-DlGy8bAILWW5myCEzyPwZhW_ohUWT1v8i87De2bANj6zImwokgPSZniY1TxFUFy0N1h6uGz4RHTgc0tS-xDq8DxfqoTtaTYzcKS_TLIFA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">On the grounds of House Beneviento, there is a chilling atmosphere of decadence, and this is reflected as well in the art that is used to decorate the places. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">On the way to the house, there is a gloomy statue depicting a child carrying grapes. Baby Bacchus perhaps?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_Jt3wgWrmVNARj_X494FbcZo0ba44Uqh-RPHFtSNKW3DsdFJCH2qvJyYCa2nTc0Y1Y1vQGYJRjroF1dE0pQmdyedcMMgBuA0YH6y1PI6XdCsAt8r38efrImRSsylsBX2n2QLs0HWGb6UekWvjYcRBSRKyReuDEHVCIIkpxho0sVJsWMVy1wqWewpPaQ=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_Jt3wgWrmVNARj_X494FbcZo0ba44Uqh-RPHFtSNKW3DsdFJCH2qvJyYCa2nTc0Y1Y1vQGYJRjroF1dE0pQmdyedcMMgBuA0YH6y1PI6XdCsAt8r38efrImRSsylsBX2n2QLs0HWGb6UekWvjYcRBSRKyReuDEHVCIIkpxho0sVJsWMVy1wqWewpPaQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>A few steps further, there is a statue of a girl carrying water pots.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghV07T-d24B7fxApUrZm5ThICslf9HVbu4gfNCURRVkzbfxpxgSOX2Ixt-bYm9ukegfVdx-pl9O-8Ks7ZLTAx0FuaOfSvH3pQjlsfRM0ziY3SIZrMMICFRvSDdCJsbKRXBNw1xn8qoqlUdpdgRcKTJp589FdzBiNqflA16_45HOcSpUj4ft9Uq41AVCg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghV07T-d24B7fxApUrZm5ThICslf9HVbu4gfNCURRVkzbfxpxgSOX2Ixt-bYm9ukegfVdx-pl9O-8Ks7ZLTAx0FuaOfSvH3pQjlsfRM0ziY3SIZrMMICFRvSDdCJsbKRXBNw1xn8qoqlUdpdgRcKTJp589FdzBiNqflA16_45HOcSpUj4ft9Uq41AVCg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The interior of the house is very interesting because its decoration seems to incorporate elements from all the other areas: Ethan's house, the village residences and the Castle.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In its main hall, the living room and the sitting room there are decorative plates, like the ones in the village houses:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhftYrHxFaczGIy26RPveg8m9k6KRU5ZdhqTYU8Q4Ic5P-xf9k-qrFHzzQvjNKlVRnj1SrW6RhyAKNQ1jIx4NfkGqTq7XMo_oXhFxVPAB-S8Li9GQ4qDgQwF50SSjg4LoGsgzbUmhCUQCUgdoqy9cQFAPGgBiohwlaNaw986ZS4tc5RPN5BJD1H3QJwbg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhftYrHxFaczGIy26RPveg8m9k6KRU5ZdhqTYU8Q4Ic5P-xf9k-qrFHzzQvjNKlVRnj1SrW6RhyAKNQ1jIx4NfkGqTq7XMo_oXhFxVPAB-S8Li9GQ4qDgQwF50SSjg4LoGsgzbUmhCUQCUgdoqy9cQFAPGgBiohwlaNaw986ZS4tc5RPN5BJD1H3QJwbg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>But Donna, being naturally a lot richer than the other villagers, also has more expensive plates, like the ones found in Ethan's house:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikjUD8rq_d7z2UX9NhL8TbQFFrdYAHCUcGItcDgs64lT-ve3qf_5ve2Mj88oOfSD5Nbtq8Nx7_h1EpwXEjZ2hed0QF6GDTBRryygGEuD0r9TRP0VT8Fdq_eZMJYp5te0GIx_fnjMCGoyIOjMG9ezevssL_v8rlDl0c_TxbQ9JUOyc1rZro8qHlHWQGIQ=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikjUD8rq_d7z2UX9NhL8TbQFFrdYAHCUcGItcDgs64lT-ve3qf_5ve2Mj88oOfSD5Nbtq8Nx7_h1EpwXEjZ2hed0QF6GDTBRryygGEuD0r9TRP0VT8Fdq_eZMJYp5te0GIx_fnjMCGoyIOjMG9ezevssL_v8rlDl0c_TxbQ9JUOyc1rZro8qHlHWQGIQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">There is also the melting version of Ethan's bouquet painting hanging on a couple of the Beneviento residence walls.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaZAE1R2LtzqbRVPWzHOSbwSidnSw_SWnCaK8VW0jz4-zXFyZy1FNjuFc_p3hSuCA-VBV4evC1nJ6KUc0Hpt6v6h2fxlvL1dk7R1onGGWJ8vdWVMe9ODllJhEWYQLHrgPJQlu3uEewMi9Q5fzbYzRNOwFV2be97OMwV0GHycZvwn9JaPJoM6g6LCEnSw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaZAE1R2LtzqbRVPWzHOSbwSidnSw_SWnCaK8VW0jz4-zXFyZy1FNjuFc_p3hSuCA-VBV4evC1nJ6KUc0Hpt6v6h2fxlvL1dk7R1onGGWJ8vdWVMe9ODllJhEWYQLHrgPJQlu3uEewMi9Q5fzbYzRNOwFV2be97OMwV0GHycZvwn9JaPJoM6g6LCEnSw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Of course Donna has the photo of the creepy lake with the hanging dead bodies.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZu0OKjn0sTaYla9TtaQIJtXdGtT7uuBy9ufcyTc5B3ZqzV3kftjB7KS9YNQwvv3IjiOOt6ZS2lxzEa6IxzjKVZ3K995DwCwxB5nirAVI5r50w-2faUyGqjOHVNVmel_6D2gOdHNddx0NR8ktDO-ZNVtLJyVQ8cFdcMfStBg2MtQZhlMp6Mp_PBEQFyg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZu0OKjn0sTaYla9TtaQIJtXdGtT7uuBy9ufcyTc5B3ZqzV3kftjB7KS9YNQwvv3IjiOOt6ZS2lxzEa6IxzjKVZ3K995DwCwxB5nirAVI5r50w-2faUyGqjOHVNVmel_6D2gOdHNddx0NR8ktDO-ZNVtLJyVQ8cFdcMfStBg2MtQZhlMp6Mp_PBEQFyg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /> She also has the abstract painting with the geometrical shape seen in Louiza's house:<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju6hZzSLP06Rjg_g1yT1xyJqYd0FKRvQPwLsZdvGFU5dnmPbWPt-P1vTTOV3SRE5nA18zv2QYXpjgeINtFfclOcKBBBeUNHsBM5qw2V9UH0Iq6EcJVFz1srPlRyopbcd8DAomWX3zrrIA2HZotLIrg2QUYIpFqbrzWCLnk0UFsCV1F_g1h4tJP5uoq3A=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju6hZzSLP06Rjg_g1yT1xyJqYd0FKRvQPwLsZdvGFU5dnmPbWPt-P1vTTOV3SRE5nA18zv2QYXpjgeINtFfclOcKBBBeUNHsBM5qw2V9UH0Iq6EcJVFz1srPlRyopbcd8DAomWX3zrrIA2HZotLIrg2QUYIpFqbrzWCLnk0UFsCV1F_g1h4tJP5uoq3A=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>There is also the Still Life painting, also found on one of Louiza's walls:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYHx5eRev6GMMAoIOtfjOrFsu3ya21Q-CQX8toZz3qAaijEVQZC1vG0OYbToDAQJVSHV2o34ttGZWnp-cx8ZfwXiok7uUIXOovX0N7WURUKF586iXfBsoFbGHkHec_-WEPh1jW54Rpt19lzfTxVUFgSfp3sXKWHEJ_W1W4WZaSFoXbUP9_sV7yLWC7eA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYHx5eRev6GMMAoIOtfjOrFsu3ya21Q-CQX8toZz3qAaijEVQZC1vG0OYbToDAQJVSHV2o34ttGZWnp-cx8ZfwXiok7uUIXOovX0N7WURUKF586iXfBsoFbGHkHec_-WEPh1jW54Rpt19lzfTxVUFgSfp3sXKWHEJ_W1W4WZaSFoXbUP9_sV7yLWC7eA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>She also has one of the snowy mountain photos from the Winters home:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizAdak2ToujMJIajq896v_Hs0lBlt4SWWQGnT7AFPIkkXb7GWcsNdb7k8yEeXn0KKjV3-h3cjqhfchfngFNdqhXS2_OK08cNQdY-tqC0swYcBcJLQ0QTCuiXI4wU5kImRlBh5DOTVcXxtBwz6gMnIr6HqDU7f2Hx7ZiVzWn1EC98Dw4xphd4CEEE5UHw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizAdak2ToujMJIajq896v_Hs0lBlt4SWWQGnT7AFPIkkXb7GWcsNdb7k8yEeXn0KKjV3-h3cjqhfchfngFNdqhXS2_OK08cNQdY-tqC0swYcBcJLQ0QTCuiXI4wU5kImRlBh5DOTVcXxtBwz6gMnIr6HqDU7f2Hx7ZiVzWn1EC98Dw4xphd4CEEE5UHw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Another piece of modern art found in Donna's residence that we first saw in Ethan's house is this abstract red painting:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWud7VXnCckj131fU1UQAzTW9HQJ1OvGRFNwBC87gYrP1867A3y2YH1D2FCGACUZ5XOw4esjST7jQOXsxmyGgYuDxHsrWUYW6Dmbx0NxufLBNfFBgkPdObz8pbFyfsbrOTL1XJVC3KP2nsL-ogQgxvKwDnwm32ZYGmaICgxobd1mlCUkImZFlmBK1e9g=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWud7VXnCckj131fU1UQAzTW9HQJ1OvGRFNwBC87gYrP1867A3y2YH1D2FCGACUZ5XOw4esjST7jQOXsxmyGgYuDxHsrWUYW6Dmbx0NxufLBNfFBgkPdObz8pbFyfsbrOTL1XJVC3KP2nsL-ogQgxvKwDnwm32ZYGmaICgxobd1mlCUkImZFlmBK1e9g=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>There is also the painting of the man with the two horses and the three dogs, from the Castle:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqy4l4qw4vtH4bLCvCFA-HGmg37qn_ihuCDwJqGHmKpBHtEt33NW0XGmxoaJyXp29t2KDo_0dqsP4zWdfsDQBPD3NBxVMtI0bk5P-NVMMR5Bx7GkHBpfUnjmia7WJmERFb6qxGCOpQkhx7WvDIGeGCDiC86fhku1OJYasGIADo38cniQCvH_-w_ROUNA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqy4l4qw4vtH4bLCvCFA-HGmg37qn_ihuCDwJqGHmKpBHtEt33NW0XGmxoaJyXp29t2KDo_0dqsP4zWdfsDQBPD3NBxVMtI0bk5P-NVMMR5Bx7GkHBpfUnjmia7WJmERFb6qxGCOpQkhx7WvDIGeGCDiC86fhku1OJYasGIADo38cniQCvH_-w_ROUNA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The Tambourine Girl portrait is seen as well on a wall:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcNuWKSKasoHll4H0ffLe_1MFVxszy2AEve18gbBndVNC-21UHrLSqo8AMEWLqzZKTuW2Mk4XBgenSaVc4Jq93Vy7_q9mXRyRF9fOHZ-zC9GpVP1AdJI643HUcjUadban8HQGzVNpyDLf0MEffEXXrYw4Gmg6Ob8XswqdKGt_MHPiV-oix4N8Z9ZP5Ng=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcNuWKSKasoHll4H0ffLe_1MFVxszy2AEve18gbBndVNC-21UHrLSqo8AMEWLqzZKTuW2Mk4XBgenSaVc4Jq93Vy7_q9mXRyRF9fOHZ-zC9GpVP1AdJI643HUcjUadban8HQGzVNpyDLf0MEffEXXrYw4Gmg6Ob8XswqdKGt_MHPiV-oix4N8Z9ZP5Ng=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Another painting from the Castle that can be spotted in the Beneviento residence is the portrait of the standing man with the white collar:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCBRJe4GnbwdyZks0zZI1KEDgTiCTS1kvNIBwcUkto24rJgNYf5JBD426_N0WefhD2Yx4a2YIk_ampz9hdkOB1wTxrH__d6E69oDju0Jlaj_n1UoIIguq579Ku1V6q5MKgSc2YOyWeYq5Xdzvpg0ry_ib_0mQ1D0cYrKkHolXQEXh8JXrJsz9kcln0_w=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCBRJe4GnbwdyZks0zZI1KEDgTiCTS1kvNIBwcUkto24rJgNYf5JBD426_N0WefhD2Yx4a2YIk_ampz9hdkOB1wTxrH__d6E69oDju0Jlaj_n1UoIIguq579Ku1V6q5MKgSc2YOyWeYq5Xdzvpg0ry_ib_0mQ1D0cYrKkHolXQEXh8JXrJsz9kcln0_w=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Donna, however, has her own unique collection of mostly morbid vintage photos that decorate her walls, and are only found in her house and match her obnoxious state of mind.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">First of all, it's the photo of a small child with a white cat.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibQwS5UNcsPTEMGw3Gmu6N3uuujHbu7cba869fhDZrMN2uVA8rNi9XPDXN-mSRDw7SIQlYQecWBouR-GjLaepI10vC5YZkKPNSM_ywfsQrZ22zSWBsI-FnF1NZhGqnmmzrp4jqQAQl7S9Ev3G58lxrGTQI6WO_FnV0QfN-dV8UzKK4PrubDzXVbCYyAQ=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibQwS5UNcsPTEMGw3Gmu6N3uuujHbu7cba869fhDZrMN2uVA8rNi9XPDXN-mSRDw7SIQlYQecWBouR-GjLaepI10vC5YZkKPNSM_ywfsQrZ22zSWBsI-FnF1NZhGqnmmzrp4jqQAQl7S9Ev3G58lxrGTQI6WO_FnV0QfN-dV8UzKK4PrubDzXVbCYyAQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">If you look closely, you will notice that this may not be a real child, but a doll.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Then it's a photo depicting what looks like doll sitting on a chair, in a room which is most likely a doll's house, since everything around the doll is so small.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYke2p_-FFGMCQENUcOzx_7XYjBOb6YJSdjS1crhnNWb-6wyc48G6MWhlF9mJwHyETzyisXTBBbZFsjZGASTRrzW5upuieAEPaXqRKmSchpKLa3K91U2UmXrHtlTz92MoG1dDlh8avHXiAwLhS4qDZURZT_wqipCuI9mXW1FGV1HSyvU-naumX8XxwdA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYke2p_-FFGMCQENUcOzx_7XYjBOb6YJSdjS1crhnNWb-6wyc48G6MWhlF9mJwHyETzyisXTBBbZFsjZGASTRrzW5upuieAEPaXqRKmSchpKLa3K91U2UmXrHtlTz92MoG1dDlh8avHXiAwLhS4qDZURZT_wqipCuI9mXW1FGV1HSyvU-naumX8XxwdA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /> There is also a photo showing a pile of doll parts (or are they human bones?)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYtS2g1nusKbPAn9QthLVrnAuJmeNO5qz1JlT-ILTQrBMsXIoo5TOLWut_flupbeLN1caDohbDWYr2aJ3R1WhhiAI2EtTmUBADRbV9TIAfyjl4KLn_7pVoWeoBTCjiE7FJMZQzEc8Z_bFeuIIv_y5pdjjAMp5GqVIhzfqBFsg1Z1xmmdwiD95nbcRXdg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYtS2g1nusKbPAn9QthLVrnAuJmeNO5qz1JlT-ILTQrBMsXIoo5TOLWut_flupbeLN1caDohbDWYr2aJ3R1WhhiAI2EtTmUBADRbV9TIAfyjl4KLn_7pVoWeoBTCjiE7FJMZQzEc8Z_bFeuIIv_y5pdjjAMp5GqVIhzfqBFsg1Z1xmmdwiD95nbcRXdg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">There is a photo depicting two kids, a boy and a girl; the girl specifically looks like it's a result of the infamous "Post-Mortem Photography" trend of the mid-1800s.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBA3eqO7yoTWXMzS9Gb4Kwb8QYfIS2vkd-kq5KaHD3Sex1q5RgrJW1uLf-LIVrxKFSTPqs9_KhMZvUaQrXzdYs3JiQZm5qLe5C2To9CmZCbAyl3kfqigui_W048V9jFSymTikTdE7QJ3BRRADxgOEd1bgiK-x0nx1l_OMba7XMdI-yLl625bPmXPtcIg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBA3eqO7yoTWXMzS9Gb4Kwb8QYfIS2vkd-kq5KaHD3Sex1q5RgrJW1uLf-LIVrxKFSTPqs9_KhMZvUaQrXzdYs3JiQZm5qLe5C2To9CmZCbAyl3kfqigui_W048V9jFSymTikTdE7QJ3BRRADxgOEd1bgiK-x0nx1l_OMba7XMdI-yLl625bPmXPtcIg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">As a side-note, the way that Donna herself poses with Angie on her lap in <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ShZsi0Q.png">this render</a>, reminds of the trend of the "Hidden Mother Photography" of around the same time, rising many questions as to how much of a doll Angie was after all.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">A vintage painting that appears on many walls in Donna's house is this one:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq5-Na_W1QxukUvDZC5cLQnilafiNMWZTkqAQeCIyl5x6SgAuC6uDFDer-bZAsX9WDZQCV6EvQNFJFbh9P5G_c2c59piOAXjWRg6NxeGa9jDzfTPOKfiHHBkLO81-Exb9nP3ktyLyq9VqL7P4pijXKD08PhxRFUAGtBLWEkGjdTA8fa3yub_5dCwQjiw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq5-Na_W1QxukUvDZC5cLQnilafiNMWZTkqAQeCIyl5x6SgAuC6uDFDer-bZAsX9WDZQCV6EvQNFJFbh9P5G_c2c59piOAXjWRg6NxeGa9jDzfTPOKfiHHBkLO81-Exb9nP3ktyLyq9VqL7P4pijXKD08PhxRFUAGtBLWEkGjdTA8fa3yub_5dCwQjiw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It doesn't have an exact match, but it's clearly an illustration inspired by the children's story "The Pied Piper of Hamelin", taken maybe from a very old edition. A similar depiction of this same scene in the tale is <a href="https://i.imgur.com/pa4Wy0M.jpg">this one by Kate Greenaway</a> from Robert Browning's version (1888).<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">All of these pictures can be seen around the house separately or in groups, as is the case here:<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ05nliEZUyCWl1WfFhuNnmxBAP0RJOy2YBajnSCnkqkUk76_YXBTS2knXy1uT7jf2qEDRHAzpWG108K7c3fsYodD6G_5CWppeoI8O2cUvR3F9o2ZxgzX8oIRJ2ESvPsI6RkU4D7tIlU31TILeKNbL7S9fGFVY_UYgKoSUvJpnf9rFLl4HBOQ5VH3n_A=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ05nliEZUyCWl1WfFhuNnmxBAP0RJOy2YBajnSCnkqkUk76_YXBTS2knXy1uT7jf2qEDRHAzpWG108K7c3fsYodD6G_5CWppeoI8O2cUvR3F9o2ZxgzX8oIRJ2ESvPsI6RkU4D7tIlU31TILeKNbL7S9fGFVY_UYgKoSUvJpnf9rFLl4HBOQ5VH3n_A=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">There is also an interactive picture of a pregnant woman, which is in horizontal position the first time that you pass by it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8OuSKNYmi64nhtjmpF2KmEocE6bTT4Jvxa203jSiyn8xGQpvO9A6kLexU8XNe7yLOEsZ7DgGm9bnxHRULtNMwgbsLFgqufXZrOk7p0AAeoHr-qz8kC6KrnWO-MxAftG12XDsKgDvCscblFAvdaJErMEm0fc0jCI96HMqjcHDgYvKoDm4mrM55K14CRA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8OuSKNYmi64nhtjmpF2KmEocE6bTT4Jvxa203jSiyn8xGQpvO9A6kLexU8XNe7yLOEsZ7DgGm9bnxHRULtNMwgbsLFgqufXZrOk7p0AAeoHr-qz8kC6KrnWO-MxAftG12XDsKgDvCscblFAvdaJErMEm0fc0jCI96HMqjcHDgYvKoDm4mrM55K14CRA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">After a few pieces of the puzzle are put together, one of the ropes holding the picture gets cut, and the woman appears in a standing position, only if you pay more attention you will see that it looks like she is hanged.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj98kjK_1irVHue1vr4KLTuzsCsBXoxfmFXLvTlWq6bybv1yrNQquOpPd_at3Fzm4jSqcc46M-peSvIxOB9lax_45lz0ByLGBLFhyeIrtA2xhOCM6zDNa8_Q9lmg7ktj3CsMsRiPyN36XLvlr1OeF5UWh4uMDGMZ--9lgASRGKsSZZ08OKEzgxQvS2YEQ=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj98kjK_1irVHue1vr4KLTuzsCsBXoxfmFXLvTlWq6bybv1yrNQquOpPd_at3Fzm4jSqcc46M-peSvIxOB9lax_45lz0ByLGBLFhyeIrtA2xhOCM6zDNa8_Q9lmg7ktj3CsMsRiPyN36XLvlr1OeF5UWh4uMDGMZ--9lgASRGKsSZZ08OKEzgxQvS2YEQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">But the most impressive piece of art in the Beneviento residence is definitely the huge portrait on the stairwell that depicts Donna herself with Angie, her beloved doll and alter ego.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9lW1S4OcMhXpF_EmgKvRF_4x-pEV3Kz3p-lzCbBO95g3YmX8NYWJhHPIhqIgqrGkN1YswaOWldA2LcS5gb_1gNrJ6Zm48O_N97iSqDDLcu8HSDO0W7tbcwfwbcsmTREZsVQjwddrSS3GD-PeWS8fKg8_UzQFgQjd_ZM_IbTW9MMU7jHHlJfk9iBrjRw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9lW1S4OcMhXpF_EmgKvRF_4x-pEV3Kz3p-lzCbBO95g3YmX8NYWJhHPIhqIgqrGkN1YswaOWldA2LcS5gb_1gNrJ6Zm48O_N97iSqDDLcu8HSDO0W7tbcwfwbcsmTREZsVQjwddrSS3GD-PeWS8fKg8_UzQFgQjd_ZM_IbTW9MMU7jHHlJfk9iBrjRw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Coming from a dark and decadent Victorian past, as if out of time and place, Donna is much more vivid in this painting than she probably ever was in her entire life.</p>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-81490557768912337912022-03-10T06:50:00.006-08:002022-03-10T09:34:17.829-08:00Ethan Winters, An Unfortunate Hero<p style="text-align: justify;">One might think that Ethan Winters is an unfortunate hero because of all that he had suffered in both <i>Resident Evil 7 </i>and <i>Village</i>, but in fact his real misfortune lies somewhere else.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcdgE2EzuvKy8bgsfczK49vp_NAY35LhdJdRPP6eNobU5ptQZRHd5bqb96sLl1uE6WaYQ9Eg6kooUqNzQRbuNPpUByox4sFz-SrZWFFPSaCja9wFGs2IlE7J2dhLJLNo_T7CX7-iL1ygN2xmcsCs7gMa22QEFeGFhHk7a6OI2a9fvauPylOVpiTKPsrA=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcdgE2EzuvKy8bgsfczK49vp_NAY35LhdJdRPP6eNobU5ptQZRHd5bqb96sLl1uE6WaYQ9Eg6kooUqNzQRbuNPpUByox4sFz-SrZWFFPSaCja9wFGs2IlE7J2dhLJLNo_T7CX7-iL1ygN2xmcsCs7gMa22QEFeGFhHk7a6OI2a9fvauPylOVpiTKPsrA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Back in Louisiana, as the unexpected twist towards the finale of <i>Village </i>revealed, Ethan was brutally murdered by Jack Baker, as soon as he stepped his foot in the Baker residence while looking for his lost wife Mia. Being exposed to the highly infectious Mold, like the rest of the Baker family, he nonetheless came back to life, albeit he had no idea that, from that moment and on, he would be a walking corpse. The Mold in his body made him super strong, which is why he was able to sustain all sorts of pain and damage and recover from all kinds of injury in seconds. For some reason this never rang a bell, maybe because it was a situation that had never crossed his mind. Because if you remember Sherry in <i>Resident Evil 6</i>, who was able to self-heal from a seemingly mortal wound in front of a gobsmacked Jake, she was well aware that such a thing could happen to her, since she knew about her medical history and the fact that, when she was little, she had been exposed to the virus which gave her regenerative powers. But Ethan didn't know or, to be more accurate, none of the people who knew about it ever bothered to tell him. Mia obviously knew, because she was there; Zoe also knew, for the same reason. Jack, Marguerite and Lucas knew as well, and quite possibly Jack's brother Joe was at some point informed about it. All the hints that Jack Baker threw at Ethan during their dramatic encounters, suddenly made sense once we were informed about Ethan's condition. It was not due to the miraculous medicine in the green bottle that Ethan was able to heal himself so impressively fast, even stick his cut arm or leg back to their original places. At least it was not only due to the medicine. For the most part, it was because he was already Mold inside, and thus able to regenerate even from lethal hits.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Given this, one big question comes to mind. When the story of <i>Village </i>begins, it's been already three years since Ethan and Mia returned from Louisiana, with Ethan being a walking corpse filled with Mold all along. How can it be possible that he never suspected something was going wrong with himself? Of course being Mold inside was not something evident to the naked eye. But he surely underwent extremely detailed medical examinations after he was rescued from the Baker residence. Didn't his blood analysis betray anything weird? From Mia's dialogue with Chris in Miranda's lab near the end of <i>Village</i>, it is made very clear that Mia knew about Ethan while Chris had no idea, something that again doesn't make sense, because Chris was the one responsible for Ethan and his family and supposedly knew everything related to them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6vOlasYP5Pdbypev-0XFCoH-QxzFM2sbEVojR6OydBzx22_bsgT5Yveuz8zfEV8WEiXJPO9SKDgmrae1Yf-fU4bGqLClPAMrEJgaRgU9DWgukNCKqPjOyVCHVskDLNNymm01LFV2JSXC9_r9b2b_RxpPN-lELKSmBG0gHI7xTMaYXaXsBNidOWgtbZw=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6vOlasYP5Pdbypev-0XFCoH-QxzFM2sbEVojR6OydBzx22_bsgT5Yveuz8zfEV8WEiXJPO9SKDgmrae1Yf-fU4bGqLClPAMrEJgaRgU9DWgukNCKqPjOyVCHVskDLNNymm01LFV2JSXC9_r9b2b_RxpPN-lELKSmBG0gHI7xTMaYXaXsBNidOWgtbZw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Although Mia's decision to conceal such critical information from both Ethan and Chris was irresponsible and dangerous, let's say that for the sake of fancy and imagination, some things were left unsaid, in order to open the path for a new story. Now this brings us to <i>Village</i>. Apparently Miranda, in her century-long struggle to bring her daughter back to life, had been experimenting on humans, trying to find the perfect host for the resurrection of her little Eva. Just like Simmons in <i>Resident Evil 6</i>, who had Carla experiment on both women and men in order to find the perfect candidate to create his Ada clone, Miranda as well experimented on all sorts of people. This explains why she used grown men (Moreau and Heisenberg), grown women (Donna and Alcina) and young girls (Bela, Cassandra, Daniela), as well as plenty of other people of all ages and sexes in her tests. She didn't care, because once she found the right candidate, she would turn them into raw material, like she finally did with Rosemary, and make them born again as Eva. Obviously she experimented on Mia too. How she found out that little Rosemary was gifted with the powers of Mold, is unclear, but it is very possible that, during her research, she discovered that Mia, being one of the people who was greatly involved in Eveline's case, had been exposed to the Mold herself and kidnapped her in order to experiment on her and see if she could use her as a candidate for Eva; in the process she found out that, since Mia had been cured in time, was to no avail for her plans, but learned that she had a daughter who could be used instead.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This leads to one more big question. Since Miranda knew that Rosemary had the powers of the Mold, for which her mother was apparently not responsible, how come she did not conclude that the baby's "gift" could very well come from her father? She was an experienced scientist after all, and had the luxury of researching everything for more than a century. Certainly she knew that Rosemary couldn't have been born with Mold powers just out of a whim of Mother Nature. She inherited them from someone. Since that someone was not her mother, the only other option was Ethan.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSJkPK3yyEkWvvsRte52FJplTwO_D_HeXnsDgizAyOJfd-OH_4QTjNUS0baR_Jw6_PbRzZfimM4ZepCPDw3ViIxN_5cROZWrGs15FKfXFokanadJfyDqDNbECqzNyZn5l3R2C0rN_IaOf_pqOm1k5Pcq8DTRgxeUv3F1kGkiecOaAUfgRJ61DHiMSfmA=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSJkPK3yyEkWvvsRte52FJplTwO_D_HeXnsDgizAyOJfd-OH_4QTjNUS0baR_Jw6_PbRzZfimM4ZepCPDw3ViIxN_5cROZWrGs15FKfXFokanadJfyDqDNbECqzNyZn5l3R2C0rN_IaOf_pqOm1k5Pcq8DTRgxeUv3F1kGkiecOaAUfgRJ61DHiMSfmA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Until Rosemary was found, Miranda's experiments were a disaster. Even almost perfect candidates, like Heisenberg, didn't respond to her tests as expected in the end, and all of them suffered serious and unexpected side-effects. Alcina became an unnaturally tall, blood-thirsty creature who could grow claws from her fingers; her three daughters turned into vampires. Donna's face got partly misfigured, and she developed the ability to create hallucinations and move inanimate objects, preferably her beloved dolls. Moreau grew gills and a hump and his whole body resembled a fish. Heisenberg was turned into a human magnet, capable of manipulating electricity and attracting metallic and iron items all around him. And all the other candidates apparently had side-effects, therefore the hordes of lycans that ended up inhabiting the previously peaceful village.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Then Miranda found Rosemary, who seemed to be the most perfect candidate of all. Or at least Miranda thought so; I would guess this was for two reasons: one because Rosemary had already Mold powers, and two because she was only a baby, therefore she was like a blank canvas. Pretty much like Lily in <i>The Evil Within 2</i>, who was chosen as the perfect STEM core because she was little and innocent, in a similar manner Rosemary's choice seemed ideal, because a baby has no will of its own and cannot pose any resistance. The tragic irony for Miranda is that when her "ceremony" is complete and she holds whom she believes to be the new Eva in her arms, Rosemary does not react. The whole process of recreating Eva didn't have the slightest effect on her. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_wwnZd_bMhQV2WPJaro55Fu06SSgjDTNI1CdvenpTCYxOWXGp4gcMbrUooql_oAY8IGK4iSJullUAOKU0ccnqxu3IdOtk1HXEQsOtIRFsLsiQ_Wpb7IYe-hPPfEdcZtdl6bGiQrRAR4R92HCwbUd7ROGTaiqCOs3XgzW_y19xJGZjy_umpXUlTrbJUQ=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_wwnZd_bMhQV2WPJaro55Fu06SSgjDTNI1CdvenpTCYxOWXGp4gcMbrUooql_oAY8IGK4iSJullUAOKU0ccnqxu3IdOtk1HXEQsOtIRFsLsiQ_Wpb7IYe-hPPfEdcZtdl6bGiQrRAR4R92HCwbUd7ROGTaiqCOs3XgzW_y19xJGZjy_umpXUlTrbJUQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This practically means that Miranda was confident about the success of her "ceremony" with Rosemary, simply because, in theory, everything about the little girl seemed perfect. But in practice, things were much different. Rosemary may have had the typical qualities, but in the essence she was unable to respond to Miranda's highly ambitious resurrection process. What Miranda apparently didn't know was that, while confronting Ethan, she had possibly her ideal candidate within her reach. "Gifted" with his regenerative powers, that, apparently, had accustomed well in his body after all this time, Ethan had been transformed into a super powerful bio-weapon, although he didn't have the slightest clue about it. Consider this: we have been playing with a bio-weapon for two full games, while being unable to see it at its full potential. If Miranda had bothered to experiment on him instead of Mia, she certainly would have discovered his "secret" and would have left Rosemary alone; she would have attempted to turn Ethan into raw material instead and resurrect Eva through him. If anything, Ethan by default possessed the ability of coming back to life, therefore Miranda would only need to do half the job, compared to all the fuss she had to go through with the four Lords of the village. And who knows, maybe this time her ceremony could have been a success. Or maybe Ethan could have side-effects too, in his case insane powers that would turn him into an almighty entity, able to devour Miranda in the blink of an eye. And this is exactly where Ethan's misfortune lies. In the fact that he had been a superhero all this time, but nobody ever knew nor made good use of his powers, not even himself. Instead, he lived and died like a mundane mortal, sacrificing himself for practically no reason, since Miranda had already been defeated, both Rosemary and Mia had already been saved, and Chris had already everything set for the destruction of the Megamycete.</p>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-34846647860087263792022-02-20T11:32:00.005-08:002022-02-21T18:20:21.723-08:00Jill's Lobster<p style="text-align: justify;">There has been a lot of speculation and theories about Jill Valentine's love life, as is the case anyway with most fictional heroes and heroines who do not appear to have a predetermined or potential partner or match; although Jill has always been a very special case, since she has more often than not been depicted as someone who mostly focuses on her work and her duties, leaving little - if at all - space for anything else in her life. There is a general conception, which is extremely popular among fans - and quite possibly this also appeals to members of the Resident Evil development teams - that Jill has feelings for Chris Redfield and vice versa; Chris, however, always seems even more focused on duties and work than Jill, and we never had the chance to see him dealing with anything directly connected to the game of love, at least as far as his female partners are concerned. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5SAgAX1iisal4sennDzoRd2HkZTD8ytZsdx8vXTbjrXoObXH3atLIGp4vV5JLbQidgO7K_JL2HKnMc-pe7DUkKo2YKYFzkzQC8tepHhojJFN4xrOMZ68G6YteYbOCtDU5Y6TUELMGmyJXrOYcMHkJdQbN1_0o0G1dmQj0KWnYmpqNrBDY6xyf3F8Q3A=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5SAgAX1iisal4sennDzoRd2HkZTD8ytZsdx8vXTbjrXoObXH3atLIGp4vV5JLbQidgO7K_JL2HKnMc-pe7DUkKo2YKYFzkzQC8tepHhojJFN4xrOMZ68G6YteYbOCtDU5Y6TUELMGmyJXrOYcMHkJdQbN1_0o0G1dmQj0KWnYmpqNrBDY6xyf3F8Q3A=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Jill is the main protagonist of <i>Resident Evil 3</i>, a game that recently underwent a revamped remake which may have failed to do justice to certain aspects of the original, what with the omission of emblematic puzzles and iconic environments, but on the other hand it offered a lot of character-related insight, focusing on its protagonists, deuteragonists and antagonists in a way that shed light on their personalities, thus highlighting their motives, intentions and actions a lot more. The game itself, as concept, story and development, seems rather straightforward and easy to follow, but in fact it has traits that give it an identity that is quite different from other titles of the saga. Jill finds herself in a nightmarish, zombie-ridden Raccoon City, just having lost Brad, her only ally, in an overall hostile environment. She is forced to work with a group of soldiers who belong to Umbrella, the company that Jill knows very well and is aware of their evil doings. As the story proceeds, Jill realizes that most of the soldiers are clean and completely ignore the truth about Umbrella - except for one. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWm2e6XgCO5yWsKxw9X8z2ylS3-2PoUHvbqivE3Rwb84yhq7t91vkz-EGpD7m87gzFjodbqkZDIbej7AXEvE_RsueBgOjyvJX4coyBNPNrmBhVxQPTKhzCUqOv5RNm6mtlZ0GDTDBvl0SGbjmEUdbLOIAjTGtt6ZBZ1CDTp7EwIqxzR-Zd2bLpXtu2Cw=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWm2e6XgCO5yWsKxw9X8z2ylS3-2PoUHvbqivE3Rwb84yhq7t91vkz-EGpD7m87gzFjodbqkZDIbej7AXEvE_RsueBgOjyvJX4coyBNPNrmBhVxQPTKhzCUqOv5RNm6mtlZ0GDTDBvl0SGbjmEUdbLOIAjTGtt6ZBZ1CDTp7EwIqxzR-Zd2bLpXtu2Cw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">If you think about it, the condition in <i>Resident Evil 3</i> is the opposite of <i>Resident Evil 1</i>, the other game where Jill was a protagonist: in the first game, Jill had to work with her team mates, all of whom she unquestionably trusted until one of them turned out to be a traitor. In Resident Evil 3, she begins by mistrusting and hating her unlikely partners, until she finds out that most of them are trustworthy. In both cases, she is part of a group of people one of whom at the end proves to be a traitor, but while in <i>Resident Evil 1 </i>they are all innocent until one of them stands out as the bad guy, in <i>Resident Evil 3 </i>they are all guilty until the innocent ones become known and only one of them remains on the antagonist side. Before all this happens though and she learns to respect and trust the soldiers that deserve it, Jill has to fight alone, always reminding herself that what she is doing is for the sake of the civilians whom she wants to secure. It is one of the not so usual cases in the Resident Evil saga where the protagonist is completely by themselves, in a setting where they believe everyone is working against them. Claire in <i>Code Veronica</i> had Steve as an ally right from the start; Leon in <i>Resident Evil 4</i> had Ashley, Luis, and even Ada in the background. Claire and Leon in <i>Resident Evil 2</i> had each other, Chris in <i>Resident Evil 5 </i>had Sheva and Josh, Ethan in<i> Resident Evil 7 </i>had Zoe Baker. It is not before several unfortunate events happen that Jill realizes she can actually trust the three out of the four people in her group - although sadly one of them is killed as soon as she finds out that he is clean. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3U1SFaJ6SMI9PcO6z6myJGS2rR9UVoP1C9Anxo_VdD3hxMG7RiaeIroXsa5zR5h6eMHH1XZRAxMxIhSm9arsrvZX4BNUN1OZZ7C5EqX1FHbSlQ9i8ChsbnyAcruottGBT3Jjq7HXSzjG85n9ehqwzOV2jkaCMbhr24S6wkWXaR0y9Xi0fVdZ4u9KA-A=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3U1SFaJ6SMI9PcO6z6myJGS2rR9UVoP1C9Anxo_VdD3hxMG7RiaeIroXsa5zR5h6eMHH1XZRAxMxIhSm9arsrvZX4BNUN1OZZ7C5EqX1FHbSlQ9i8ChsbnyAcruottGBT3Jjq7HXSzjG85n9ehqwzOV2jkaCMbhr24S6wkWXaR0y9Xi0fVdZ4u9KA-A=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This takes place in a very pivotal sequence of events, where in fact more revelations also are made. Jill goes with Carlos down to the subway platform, after having restored the power and temporarily defeated the ferocious Nemesis. This instance is the one and only in the whole game where all the members of Jill's group appear together, so technically it is the best time for everything to come into place. Earlier, Jill had found out by chance that Nikolai is a ruthless, cruel man, and she probably suspected already that his role in the group was anything but honest. But as soon as the train departs, she witnesses a brief dialogue among him and Mikhail, the leader of the group, which reveals two things: one, it proves that Nikolai is indeed a traitor, and two, it clearly shows that Mikhail is on the side of the good guys, therefore one more that could be trusted.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBW-GDfmsyhJq9pSm9AId1PMua1sck0GUm95cA-tly0a-s0do6yHe0aIa35BRAJdSB6e6VXYPDUTQmrmUMLgbOBajbS6-mkVl6fLHZdQtY6-0hGO6zezxVgMs9_2TCthRKmuCUY5MML9gGV2GTQnYG1jh1-tOR83WEfhy0h-5xXWanRy5J88AyXCz7DQ=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBW-GDfmsyhJq9pSm9AId1PMua1sck0GUm95cA-tly0a-s0do6yHe0aIa35BRAJdSB6e6VXYPDUTQmrmUMLgbOBajbS6-mkVl6fLHZdQtY6-0hGO6zezxVgMs9_2TCthRKmuCUY5MML9gGV2GTQnYG1jh1-tOR83WEfhy0h-5xXWanRy5J88AyXCz7DQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Mikhail's subsequent and violent death, however, sadly limits that side to only two people, Carlos and Tyrell. The latter, being a good friend and partner for Carlos, gained Jill's respect almost automatically, during the aforementioned pivotal scene, moments before the train set off its dramatic route, thanks to the more than obvious friendly and trusty interaction between Carlos and him. As for Carlos, Jill had already changed her heart about him; surely her unmistakable instinct had made her trust him soon enough, but on the one hand she did not want to admit it to herself and on the other, she definitely wanted to be one hundred per cent sure before allowing him to see that she viewed him in a positive light. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8_G7uslufFudVhSJmYvgroQxI_gKXn7BBKMQVY5dYiWlhEufMGWVcIcj9Y1DkdVc1E9dM5ynt-kM9QAx2KTTBvyHuF0xAsNSqH4lJk-m7Y7AFvegZENZ-TC3hkPRuihSiE26cngs-Wj5NFIJQD23QIfZK1Ky9weDdCOFcr8sSpMP4_IEBgKyAMjlU3w=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8_G7uslufFudVhSJmYvgroQxI_gKXn7BBKMQVY5dYiWlhEufMGWVcIcj9Y1DkdVc1E9dM5ynt-kM9QAx2KTTBvyHuF0xAsNSqH4lJk-m7Y7AFvegZENZ-TC3hkPRuihSiE26cngs-Wj5NFIJQD23QIfZK1Ky9weDdCOFcr8sSpMP4_IEBgKyAMjlU3w=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">For a character like Jill, who goes through such tough and morale-challenging situations on a regular basis, things like flirting and romancing are more or less secondary. Carlos's early attempts to awkwardly flirt her, albeit out of time and place, all fall through because, like he confesses to Tyrell at some point, Jill "is not like anybody", probably referring to all the girls he had known up to then, who would easily fall for a silly, stereotypical flirting. Quite possibly Jill's view of a romantic lover filters through his overall attitude concerning loyalty, trust and bravery, but even after this "test" is clear, maybe it is not enough to own her heart. In Carlos's case, though, this unorthodox, atypical test has double value. Not only he proves that he is clean and trustworthy, but he is also someone his employers can rely on, since, until he has blatant proof that they are rotten, remains loyal to them, something that, however, does not prevent him from going against their wishes when he realizes their evil intentions. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiTh5wfE0FoalMIub8Nm3fd0pu-fmscpiIafop6dDLgpX3rfVt69l9zJkrBHdk7I9wHsuUMqlKuY60iWYyotprr0lKQpZZ4paojJ1Zz6JvqnI0gSKMtg1NmCcHwm3Gsr9UGHFW23EZ26hVJmSIdvZ_Eb24ttGGLFEGg6cycQDqylbhujXk5H-aDbOM7w=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiTh5wfE0FoalMIub8Nm3fd0pu-fmscpiIafop6dDLgpX3rfVt69l9zJkrBHdk7I9wHsuUMqlKuY60iWYyotprr0lKQpZZ4paojJ1Zz6JvqnI0gSKMtg1NmCcHwm3Gsr9UGHFW23EZ26hVJmSIdvZ_Eb24ttGGLFEGg6cycQDqylbhujXk5H-aDbOM7w=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">We
never had the chance to know what happened in Jill's life after the
events in Raccoon City, until we unexpectedly learned about her presumed
death in <i>Resident Evil 5</i>. Through a dramatic flashback story, we got to know that, during a nasty encounter with Wesker in Spenser's estate, Jill attempted to save Chris's life by pushing her former captain out of a high window, but she fell all the way down together with him in the process. She remained presumed dead for a while, but Chris found her later alive and heavily
brainwashed by Wesker. He was forced to fight with her before finally
being able to release her of Wesker's control and bring her back to her senses. After that incident was over, however, we lost her again - save for an appearance in the overcrowded and rather chaotic <i>Revelations</i>. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja3LgB-jsKobCyXTcN2gvzIAmkmBSY1aQ9EUeOv04m-aJFbwkxPZQtjydtTzIWZfgcl3gxyntpyLJTZ0QpQCv_apUMwgXZnFbxWEOkH7azp1bu_k01f-iKfHnEgN7c6_No5o7zSKWV7wltNonw2d_B8K9l778EtzgOrmpUjSm3j0V5ZpwTWZL9OXGgcg=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="1280" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja3LgB-jsKobCyXTcN2gvzIAmkmBSY1aQ9EUeOv04m-aJFbwkxPZQtjydtTzIWZfgcl3gxyntpyLJTZ0QpQCv_apUMwgXZnFbxWEOkH7azp1bu_k01f-iKfHnEgN7c6_No5o7zSKWV7wltNonw2d_B8K9l778EtzgOrmpUjSm3j0V5ZpwTWZL9OXGgcg=w640-h272" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The
remake of <i>Resident Evil 3 </i>ends with Jill and Carlos leaving the
bombarded Raccoon City for
good on a helicopter, and Jill giving an oath to herself to stop Umbrella's evil plans. In the original, however, there is a bonus end screen
showing
Jill and Carlos gazing at the ocean from a ship, at what could probably be an
off-duty holiday escape for the two of them. Could this mean that, after the events in Raccoon City, they met again and maybe bonded romantically together? This could have been an indication back then, which may have not been included in the remake, but there is something else to consider in the new version of the game, that has a similar nuance.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVwQPb3oPdIv8Nst0FRwOCPRuMhuQ9ovb6UfOfJChNaLDd4IUJnMiPElFPhrzBaNgjgJ9akC-hcj-nhMZp7FVehVxcZZeAZa50MXfRaE7rHDWoNmVBr3B6urpUZbT3al6gFNG8ss8ZdAlOtDvDmMOdBNFvMsT8g4GEGRft-Y7RBN9oJYmSKcpi-F6Uvg=s900" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="900" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVwQPb3oPdIv8Nst0FRwOCPRuMhuQ9ovb6UfOfJChNaLDd4IUJnMiPElFPhrzBaNgjgJ9akC-hcj-nhMZp7FVehVxcZZeAZa50MXfRaE7rHDWoNmVBr3B6urpUZbT3al6gFNG8ss8ZdAlOtDvDmMOdBNFvMsT8g4GEGRft-Y7RBN9oJYmSKcpi-F6Uvg=w640-h484" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">In one episode of the popular sitcom <i>Friends</i>, Phoebe, a character who is notorious for her outrageous way of thinking, tries to prove to the others that two of their common friends, Ross and Rachel, are in fact destined to be together. To do so, she describes how the pairs of lobsters mate, getting tied to each other with unbreakable bonds until the end of their lives, concluding later that Ross is Rachel's lobster. Although this whole lobster theory has little to do with reality, it soon became a standard joke in popular culture, being often featured in media as an easter egg, like so many things today. In the pivotal scene on the underground platform in <i>Resident Evil 3</i>, just as the train is about to depart, Jill expresses her worries about this maybe being the subway's last route. Mikhail then assures her that the train will be back again to collect more civilians. Although Jill is honestly concerned about the latters, part of her worries are directed towards Carlos, who has orders to go to the Police Department with Tyrell. Carlos tells her that he doesn't plan to leave her "in a cold, cruel Carlos-less world", while just to the side of him there is the poster of a local restaurant, Jim's Crabs. The poster depicts a huge lobster, with the name of the species in big lettering below it. This could be random, but it could very well be an easter egg, hinting that Carlos is in fact Jill's lobster.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEii2VTpM8JO7Dmkc66BiAK_i_8uJX6G3YaKvbIw2VKfGLqB3kF6HXkFyNwXlWXbM-3hMpVlLwjFDts1eIcIwESYJGekGOHLgSrJeJeAYs6zUAED7r8cV-kj1gM3b4A5Qmr_4xyc_WLlj-jLeidOzJeZg0tCUMl8U3venKWR6pNJw8ALAI4At_qvLQ00zA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEii2VTpM8JO7Dmkc66BiAK_i_8uJX6G3YaKvbIw2VKfGLqB3kF6HXkFyNwXlWXbM-3hMpVlLwjFDts1eIcIwESYJGekGOHLgSrJeJeAYs6zUAED7r8cV-kj1gM3b4A5Qmr_4xyc_WLlj-jLeidOzJeZg0tCUMl8U3venKWR6pNJw8ALAI4At_qvLQ00zA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Under that light, we can see Jill's long absence with a different perspective. Obviously she did take part in missions and went on with her police work, but maybe she did find love with Carlos, after all. Given that we haven't heard of Carlos all this time either, it could be that Jill helped him free himself from Umbrella and offered him shelter for a while, before he would be safe again to go on with his life, this time by her side. <br /></div><div><p></p></div>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-59322952278178698632021-12-30T08:38:00.001-08:002021-12-30T14:07:46.631-08:00Supporting Characters As Friends That Define The Protagonists<p style="text-align: justify;">Supporting characters are, in video games as in movies, the often unseen heroes. With the term "supporting characters", I refer to those who are less prominent, in terms of plot and screen time, than the secondary characters or the deuteragonists, but they still may play an important role in the development of the leads, albeit this may not be always obvious on first look. Many times, such characters are friends or allies of the protagonists, but the weight of the presence in their lives varies. Usually supporting characters are not offered the chance to unfold their personality in full, which is why they may be equally underrated or overrated. Their interactions with the protagonists, however, can tell us a lot of things about them if explored carefully. They sometimes affect, directly or indirectly, the emotional and intellectual development of the lead characters, although on a first level their conduct may be misleading. In this article, I will focus on interesting supporting characters from five video games that deal with different themes and the protagonists of which follow completely different paths in their individual stories, therefore the influences that they may receive are also varied.<br /></p><p><b>Lyla Park in <i>Life Is Strange 2</i></b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAu3z7S8zoSC2zicNBbYac8OipLexKigSEoZAefaSvjFq83FHZviSSjILQgO0qmiTTaIHlcycczZQBzXxMVNnzphfVxLKBBEZKaBpmGig4mWCL05Elr1Up977nMo1lMKZnxhRgLA5ScNvbBBrlpvKaIMwmeajPuF3ajP9cqueiYY4iKZTTfB61yFQqlA=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAu3z7S8zoSC2zicNBbYac8OipLexKigSEoZAefaSvjFq83FHZviSSjILQgO0qmiTTaIHlcycczZQBzXxMVNnzphfVxLKBBEZKaBpmGig4mWCL05Elr1Up977nMo1lMKZnxhRgLA5ScNvbBBrlpvKaIMwmeajPuF3ajP9cqueiYY4iKZTTfB61yFQqlA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In spite of being a fan favorite, Lyla is, in fact, a rather dark character. Lyla appears in the first episode and her role is overall quite brief, yet you can see, even from that limited appearance, that her influence in Sean's life is not exactly a good one. Lyla is introduced as one of Sean's best friends at school and although she seems to genuinely care for him, her attitude, surprisingly, has several layers. Taking advantage, albeit subconsciously to a degree, of Sean's mild and shy temperament, she has the tendency to always push him towards doing things the way that only she thinks is the best. Lyla obviously suffers from mood swings, and can easily fall into depression, but tries to hide her insecurities behind a supposedly confident facade. In reality, though, she is authoritative, manipulative and lacks self-esteem, but puts forward a loud, seemingly careless persona in order to be able to survive. On top of that, her biggest problem seems to be the crush that she clearly has on Sean, which makes her obsession to hook him up with Jenn, his initial love interest, marginally creepy. Lyla is an extremely toxic person, and her presence in the first episode sort of represents Sean's stagnant life in the dull and depressing suburb where he lives. Sean is obviously a lot more close to his Latin heritage than the much younger Daniel; and he has an artistic side that always wants to find expression. Daniel is the one with the "obvious" diversity (his superpower), but it is in fact Sean who is the real "rebel". Lyla is, for Sean, the balancing power that keeps him collected, but at the same time she is also the chain that holds him tied down to a life that is clearly not made for him. Breaking away from this life (albeit in a tragic way), and from Lyla as well, gives him the chance to claim his freedom and find himself, no matter the cost.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Cor Leonis in<i> Final Fantasy XV</i></b> <br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator"></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6TiovKgpmmFL1nuqGYG9FqsJU5SzCdYuF8gMXRWoNvRgqLE03Oe_5urj963B-6ODKLEd36P9s8RZrauk1eB4KkpXA2L9KzK6IyrLuV3dB-_9d0R0zM8YItIBZoE-xD9fz9SJ-znmrHKpKbOAg4anZnJKmSRAQaCZGcHdSk86H2oKzZ5_aKTt-TYBDug=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6TiovKgpmmFL1nuqGYG9FqsJU5SzCdYuF8gMXRWoNvRgqLE03Oe_5urj963B-6ODKLEd36P9s8RZrauk1eB4KkpXA2L9KzK6IyrLuV3dB-_9d0R0zM8YItIBZoE-xD9fz9SJ-znmrHKpKbOAg4anZnJKmSRAQaCZGcHdSk86H2oKzZ5_aKTt-TYBDug=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Cor may not have a direct impact on Noctis's development but his influence is clearly defining. He has an imposing personality and an impressive (to say the least) background story. When he was just fifteen years old, he fought against a ferocious
warrior and managed to come out of the battle alive, an achievement that
won him the moniker "The Immortal"; yet he never ceases being down to earth, thus being the perfect mentor and instructor for Noctis and his friends. He used to be a trusted companion of Noctis's father, and he remains close to the boy as well, offering his valuable expertise and advice when needed. Noctis has grown up somewhat isolated, having only his three close friends by his side, but his rebellious character often makes him appear cold and distant towards them, although he loves them so much. However he treats Cor with respect and always listens to him and his advice. Cor is tough and brave but he is also gentle and wise. His presence in Noctis's life has only positive things to offer, especially after Noctis's father is killed. Not so much a father figure, but more like an older brother, Cor guides Noctis to face difficulties and take responsibilities, gradually making him grow into a kind and caring man, even when he is not there to openly support him. It is not random that when Noctis wakes after his long sleep inside the crystal, Cor is among the very few people from Noctis's past, along with his three friends, who is physically there to help him fight the monsters.</p><p><b>Sofia in <i>Rise Of The Tomb Raider</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBsxr8AgikO2HpNZdATp2Ahfc1MQLTepWhnPZsYy8X-m-xkEEdPEUYENCf_qcf52gO1gUH_KerxmK4tPNQkSze7iwlJuXUh4uGq7OZFdCIqmnKGQa4__0u2sdSZJHJ73Bd1y8Wx5eFHfHum_k-iKGfut5GQzmOooP4sNOeRXsEHX8w90NC9ilyymKq-Q=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBsxr8AgikO2HpNZdATp2Ahfc1MQLTepWhnPZsYy8X-m-xkEEdPEUYENCf_qcf52gO1gUH_KerxmK4tPNQkSze7iwlJuXUh4uGq7OZFdCIqmnKGQa4__0u2sdSZJHJ73Bd1y8Wx5eFHfHum_k-iKGfut5GQzmOooP4sNOeRXsEHX8w90NC9ilyymKq-Q=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">When Lara first meets Sofia, it is not under the best circumstances; and their second meeting is also eventful. However their relationship gradually gets better and they become good friends after a while. Although Lara's character is more or less already formed and she is confident enough to not need any particular influence, still Sofia's faith and her genuine struggle to help her people offer our heroine an extra boost of inspiration to keep going. Through Sofia's bond with her father, Lara subconsciously "sees" her own relationship with the late Lord Croft, and in that sense she kind of identifies with Sofia, becoming herself, for Jacob, a daughter that will be equally willing to help him unconditionally, somehow making up for all the time that she has lost, and will be losing, after her own father died and she missed every chance to live her life by his side. In Sofia, Lara partly sees her own self and in Sofia's relationship with Jacob she sees reflected how herself and Lord Croft could have grown together, had he not lost his life so unjustly. It is more of a personal development for Lara, but it unavoidably affects her attitude as well, and her decisions that define her connections with other people.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Luis Sera in <i>Resident Evil 4</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZWfFJHBxthrfsE3oUetIxv3CHtvIaprlaDTxe9iiPr4nZwDQOznYZ4_9tapiIypI9fISaEZESwuw7BxHNS-H72RDKYfTFFmYfglbDsN9mJp6GWMt-iknWVbwrSpwikPbqzhDPCYvPpNPAuJmWX8bpvSbS2Ujt42ahS_VeOL4cE3TA_eXwctpKmaYDYg=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZWfFJHBxthrfsE3oUetIxv3CHtvIaprlaDTxe9iiPr4nZwDQOznYZ4_9tapiIypI9fISaEZESwuw7BxHNS-H72RDKYfTFFmYfglbDsN9mJp6GWMt-iknWVbwrSpwikPbqzhDPCYvPpNPAuJmWX8bpvSbS2Ujt42ahS_VeOL4cE3TA_eXwctpKmaYDYg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Luis is, in the essence, more than just a supporting character, since he plays a major role in the development of the story, although his appearance is quite limited. Initially a mysterious man, obviously keeping many secrets, Luis is revealed to hold the key to Leon's infection. Leon seems to be fond of Luis right from the start, in spite of his inexplicable attitude. But Leon is known for his unerring instinct, which means that when he likes someone, it is for a good reason. Luis is a native, and his family has a long story connected to the case of the Plagas. His knowledge of the the subject and his involvement in Saddler's plan cost him his life in the end, and he literally dies in Leon's hands, but not before he manages to give him the pills with which Leon will be able to keep his infection under control until he has access to the antidote. Luis becomes a very close friend of Leon's despite the very short time that they know each other, and he functions both as Leon's life-saver, and as the cause that gives him an additional motive to want to stop Saddler, since he was obviously devastated by Luis's death. Luis kind of stands for all the partners, friends and comrades that Leon has lost, and would keep on losing in the future, during his life as an agent, and by swearing to avenge his death, Leon claims justice not only for Luis and all those lost friends, but for himself as well. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Francis Pritchard in <i>Deus Ex: Human Revolution</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgopvjqOcleLjtQ7VNuopYfurybZ-kmaujfUw6_SIhrLMj0LERFL3CrfoBMB_9gehItZjkJFsN1oQoSXuS2KdcKvbVrwu4gyScOJu1BkILFNMaAzu-qyW04yHqQH8Qv-iftOkIddCIvsqmaicfzPq8gFYGsSlZkwR0QxHsVvjCOXvR2f9CRl5E9hN3Xrg=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgopvjqOcleLjtQ7VNuopYfurybZ-kmaujfUw6_SIhrLMj0LERFL3CrfoBMB_9gehItZjkJFsN1oQoSXuS2KdcKvbVrwu4gyScOJu1BkILFNMaAzu-qyW04yHqQH8Qv-iftOkIddCIvsqmaicfzPq8gFYGsSlZkwR0QxHsVvjCOXvR2f9CRl5E9hN3Xrg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Francis is, at the beginning of the game, rather bitter towards Adam, tending to degrade and underestimate him, but as the story progresses there is a big change in their relationship. A programming and hacking expert, Francis seems to think low of Adam at first, but as Adam proves that, apart from being physically powerful, he is also very smart, he manages to gain Francis's respect and, progressively, his friendship, although Francis is too proud to openly express it with words. Francis is, in reality, probably the only absolutely clean and sincere person in Adam's environment, and he is the one to secretly guide him towards important revelations regarding either himself or Sarif on more than one occasions. While Adam is out in the world investigating or dealing with criminals, Francis is like his eyes inside the Sarif corporation. This may also have a dual interpretation since Adam has enhanced sight, which may help him see farther, but it may prevent him from identifying what is close to him. Francis has only had one optional augmentation to better his programming skills, and in that sense he can maintain his technically enhanced side and his human one in a relative balance, since his human self is almost intact. Adam's humanity is at a very high level in spite of the many augmentations that he has received, which makes him also highly perceptive of the people he interacts with, but his intimidating appearance prevents him from forming close relationships with them. Francis sort of connects him to the world, albeit discreetly and from the shadows, and his pointed, often sarcastic input acts as a reminder for Adam of human interactions that are not based almost entirely on enhanced means.</p>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-35694092287135236562021-12-10T10:20:00.004-08:002022-12-23T13:56:19.436-08:00Sometimes You Have To Let Go (But Do You Ever Really Let Go?)<div><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaQZ0qtQG7VafXO6T16N4_VlUTdxY_xzdxTz1LkCkHp1zuWkfPoq1hnXmFRy9QQ6HiXFs8dOuJDHHuyMDsGDikctC1rvDei29aRQGcYzLCYR2a-sOLQ_DF-oDiKPSyJLyCVToepfjvY_ZO4298dyGk2faDAeoTgBk66rsF6LIhOrZzUs3niIhdBqXbIA=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaQZ0qtQG7VafXO6T16N4_VlUTdxY_xzdxTz1LkCkHp1zuWkfPoq1hnXmFRy9QQ6HiXFs8dOuJDHHuyMDsGDikctC1rvDei29aRQGcYzLCYR2a-sOLQ_DF-oDiKPSyJLyCVToepfjvY_ZO4298dyGk2faDAeoTgBk66rsF6LIhOrZzUs3niIhdBqXbIA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Twin Mirror </i>is the latest game by Dontnod, the team that was responsible for the first two <i>Life Is Strange </i>games as well as <i>Tell Me Why</i>. The main element that the four games have in common is the metaphysical factor: in the first <i>Life Is Strange</i> Max could manipulate time, in <i>Life Is Strange 2</i> Daniel had telekinesis, in <i>Tell Me Why</i> Alyson and Tyler were able to communicate with their minds, and in <i>Twin Mirror</i> we have Sam Higgs who can enter and navigate in his own grey matter. But whereas in Max's and Daniel's cases their gifts were more or less superpowers, in Sam's case, like in Tyler and Alyson's, his ability is more like the development of a process through which he used to go from a very young age, being a lonely, marginally antisocial child with high perception, who preferred to keep to himself and seek comfort in the presence of an imaginary friend. Having the full support of his father but facing the doubts of his mother, Sam grew up as a loner, summoning his imaginary friend through a mirror every time things got tough. Soon enough, this imaginary friend crossed the line that separated him from Sam (the mirror glass) and became part of his own reality and his daily life. Being the contrary of what Sam was, the unnamed friend, who looks like a clean-cut version of Sam and is referred as "Him" in the game (for this article's consistency, by the way, I will call him Imaginary Sam from now on), would offer Sam advice on how to act and react in society, since he was a social and friendly guy who could easily adapt to any situation while, at the same time, being totally accepted by his surroundings. Except one little detail, he didn't literally exist, so it was actually Sam who, thanks to his friend's guidance, was able to go through situations that would otherwise be unbearable for him.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg25Niv6tiYUOSXQdgBWprdURdMKav1i9_SJ0tIZoGaP4pVPF557tgQnOSa3JDvoA_J7FfSC3xBGW31EvNFAACGit84sHabJ8sbupTiQl2KOe0S79S3rs6MA0gmK1R3XxmcxOa7mGaBwxfkeqp7OC6X2xHwfp4_r6l8QKlA1FmgO-uSVKbZLkiHDVbhfw=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg25Niv6tiYUOSXQdgBWprdURdMKav1i9_SJ0tIZoGaP4pVPF557tgQnOSa3JDvoA_J7FfSC3xBGW31EvNFAACGit84sHabJ8sbupTiQl2KOe0S79S3rs6MA0gmK1R3XxmcxOa7mGaBwxfkeqp7OC6X2xHwfp4_r6l8QKlA1FmgO-uSVKbZLkiHDVbhfw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Naturally we get to know all this as the story progresses, but from the start we become aware of Imaginary Sam's presence in Sam's life and his major role in it. Sam has the ability to evoke memories and feelings by entering his mind at will, which mind is presented as a fragmented space called "Mind Palace". Once in there, Sam is not only able to revive scenes from his past, but also predict the development of situations that lie before him. Imaginary Sam is tightly connected to Sam's Mind Palace, since he was literally born within that space, but he is not always part of it. Once he moved through the mirror into Sam's reality, he immediately adapted to the real world, being constantly Sam's guardian angel since then.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEildZDolzKsYSRKsaOQm4V5eh2wJRQc3igJWF7_MhKbdbAKqtljceMSiO5xYvC507dvETLVho7EswTydQQhoLZzEsTlypaap1ID23hnffX7gcjvrPza9_zIatKEL17XJBFZDXBnjWyH3tmVxtQd1xqfwtzt8PonkjHMnLrrtlqzuiKB3RY_IjC3EP7iGA=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEildZDolzKsYSRKsaOQm4V5eh2wJRQc3igJWF7_MhKbdbAKqtljceMSiO5xYvC507dvETLVho7EswTydQQhoLZzEsTlypaap1ID23hnffX7gcjvrPza9_zIatKEL17XJBFZDXBnjWyH3tmVxtQd1xqfwtzt8PonkjHMnLrrtlqzuiKB3RY_IjC3EP7iGA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">We do not know much about Sam's life as the game begins; we only get to know that he is a journalist who had left his isolated hometown in West Virginia a couple of years ago, supposedly because Anna, his then girlfriend, refused to marry him, and now he is on his way back to attend the funeral of his best friend Nick, who was killed in a car crash. Sam is late for the funeral, but he is in time for the wake that follows. Nick's friends and several other residents of the town have gathered to honor his memory at the local bar, where Sam finds out that he is not exactly welcome. It is revealed that two years before, Sam wrote an article in the town's paper, exposing the local mine where a severe accident had taken place, due to which the mine was soon closed. Since it was the main source of income for most of the town's residents, all the workers lost their jobs and ended up hating Sam for causing the closure of the mine. This along with Anna's refusal made Sam leave abruptly, not wanting to ever come back. At the wake, Nick's daughter, Joan, expresses her suspicions that her father's death was not an accident. Since Nick was a journalist too, Sam decides to look into the matter, sensing that his friend might have been working on exposing something big, which might prove that Joan's instinct was right. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOZMYv0HJ8rv2pJOqGmtO9uF1Wjz-O3p-_soIaWoIrqpQPpcjY-klkspRH_gMD0u94qflIppfmXTYWj9YF1W94Am8d53o0EARnEoMmGtB5guJWr24AoaplcT3D9Zc6-5xI-G8ry2dzLno7RJ0-JYDJiNcWJuB3ux9vbkqF3A-pULqPRbAl5TmwEfmeVw=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOZMYv0HJ8rv2pJOqGmtO9uF1Wjz-O3p-_soIaWoIrqpQPpcjY-klkspRH_gMD0u94qflIppfmXTYWj9YF1W94Am8d53o0EARnEoMmGtB5guJWr24AoaplcT3D9Zc6-5xI-G8ry2dzLno7RJ0-JYDJiNcWJuB3ux9vbkqF3A-pULqPRbAl5TmwEfmeVw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Like in the <i>Life Is Strange</i> games, and also in <i>Tell Me Why</i>, here too the choice system is dominant and is very much connected to how Sam decides to act in accordance or not with Imaginary Sam, who, more often that not, will attempt to lead him towards the more socially accepted path. Sometimes it is his advice that is more effective, other times Sam should better follow his own instinct. Usually there is a very thin line between the two options, and picking one choice over the other may have a dramatic consequence. At the bottom of all this, however, it is actually Sam battling with himself, or rather with the version of himself that had taken shape years ago in the form of Imaginary Sam, about which path he truly wants to follow in his life. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm-xORj8vQ9yt0zg6PGJxlCofBUAX_9XprXjMKna1h235m-6wzlx3Ih9WAp-idbWFz3lVccA3g3MctW6krKRGCR3BgNlpdknRz-7UlfGWM7OMtceksdMAPztU1f_d3Cs2Ujsh61QgxtTGzLtwWdtmWW2CsuhPnzB12rZLVYmgjXVoNksSEsCR2wAoyAw=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm-xORj8vQ9yt0zg6PGJxlCofBUAX_9XprXjMKna1h235m-6wzlx3Ih9WAp-idbWFz3lVccA3g3MctW6krKRGCR3BgNlpdknRz-7UlfGWM7OMtceksdMAPztU1f_d3Cs2Ujsh61QgxtTGzLtwWdtmWW2CsuhPnzB12rZLVYmgjXVoNksSEsCR2wAoyAw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Being social, like Imaginary Sam, feels and looks cool, but it does not always prove a good choice for the living and breathing Sam who may be an antisocial, misanthropic and cynical sociopath, almost completely void of sentiments, but is able to see through people and actions and view the world as it is, no matter how ugly it may be. Imaginary Sam is a diplomat in his interactions, while Sam is bluntly and sometimes painfully sincere. Sam does not care about being happy, therefore he does not care about getting along with other people. In reality, Sam is an unconventional human being who prefers to observe the world around him without necessarily participating in it. On the contrary, Imaginary Sam wishes to be in the company of others, even if this means burying hurtful truths and secrets. While Sam's view is more universal, Imaginary Sam is focused on the small world of Sam's circle of friends and acquaintances. Throughout his life so far, probably Sam tried to adapt to society in ways that were not fitting for him; proposing to Anna was one such instant. Anna wasn't interested in getting married, which is why she refused, but her refusal simply made Sam understand that doing what you are supposed to do is not always the correct choice. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBtgLBEIKGKjETGBJ4lL_ukFwuN5oVV73mXiv9_brjxAhk8lv-mNAHgLZolkeRiNV6heXdvQsqK4yaBXqOWIJtOo-BT20-N2x8NPqsf5NEpkBRxf86Yxy9AuWAcBDvBtJEDvsxlDEArTqkCq9h4l2V4Gyr33EBOHO7wCUR677xqyX1mBR9numy3EahAQ=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBtgLBEIKGKjETGBJ4lL_ukFwuN5oVV73mXiv9_brjxAhk8lv-mNAHgLZolkeRiNV6heXdvQsqK4yaBXqOWIJtOo-BT20-N2x8NPqsf5NEpkBRxf86Yxy9AuWAcBDvBtJEDvsxlDEArTqkCq9h4l2V4Gyr33EBOHO7wCUR677xqyX1mBR9numy3EahAQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">The contrast between Sam and Imaginary Sam is highlighted by two supporting characters, Anna and Joan. Anna is more or less like Imaginary Sam; although she seems to be a free spirit, she is well-adapted in society and gets along with almost everyone she knows. Little Joan, on the other hand, is like Sam: she is an unconventional, difficult child who, however, expresses her feelings far more loud than he does. Anna and Joan, albeit in very different positions in Sam's life, are like two opposite poles. As far as Anna is concerned, Sam's decisions will not affect much his connection (or not) with her. But if in the course of the story Sam decides to follow Imaginary Sam's advice on most important dilemmas, his relationship with Joan will dramatically change, escalating into almost complete deterioration, save a small light of hope in the end. This practically means that, following the accepted path of society, Sam rejects his intuitive side, aka his inner child, which is represented by Joan in human form. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-_fPIFwGVLUVOffswFrjWejYejYvCg20XkOCMSyjvMX2Du0DCkK9B851FAirVNE4sdncBYe2k9MyRrDCI7n5ZykSm043pl7jg4PqcGElS7qXKJp1-UfGQfuXBavWPRwgWcrIH2BfxZMktlQ9KLyaujT6w0Obx1MTC7KNkje2_3KT85cqJ9YGwrnCEwQ=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-_fPIFwGVLUVOffswFrjWejYejYvCg20XkOCMSyjvMX2Du0DCkK9B851FAirVNE4sdncBYe2k9MyRrDCI7n5ZykSm043pl7jg4PqcGElS7qXKJp1-UfGQfuXBavWPRwgWcrIH2BfxZMktlQ9KLyaujT6w0Obx1MTC7KNkje2_3KT85cqJ9YGwrnCEwQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Imaginary Sam was formed in Sam's mind during an age when he felt vulnerable and helpless. Growing up, his imaginary friend grew along with him, both of them gradually distancing themselves from their common childhood. Nick was an essential part of this process, being the solid link between Sam and the world around him, especially after Sam's father died. In fact, both Sam and Imaginary Sam were able to sentimentally grow up thanks to Nick's presence. With Nick gone, Sam was thrown back to his nightmarish, lonely childhood again. Except this time Imaginary Sam was unable to accompany him there. The social, imaginary Sam had already adapted to society, while the antisocial, real Sam had bounced back to the origins of his Mind Palace. His reunion with Joan automatically connected him to both Nick and his inner child - the original self that part of him was trying to eliminate. During an important climax, Sam takes a long and painful walk in the depths of the maze of his Mind Palace and manages to reach its root: a memory of his father giving him a small tortoise made of glass. Little Sam is amazed at how clear it is and how he can see both all of it, as well as through it. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDqFBRWiqdQ1UEaEbYQfDHA3lKH9vIt8ciXpty10Z0M_Y_HPKEgcQs02ylRvo3bjAsYN4zaYvg0ZVOJAaQsTHbP1r3bC5GnZKvill3sKXcDb2DREea_l0AkQW-xNece62KsWEzVAVYh9tmdek6X40_i_5K5qokATFbibzevRdauLbvXqOx4uQycRQ8KQ=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDqFBRWiqdQ1UEaEbYQfDHA3lKH9vIt8ciXpty10Z0M_Y_HPKEgcQs02ylRvo3bjAsYN4zaYvg0ZVOJAaQsTHbP1r3bC5GnZKvill3sKXcDb2DREea_l0AkQW-xNece62KsWEzVAVYh9tmdek6X40_i_5K5qokATFbibzevRdauLbvXqOx4uQycRQ8KQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The glass tortoise clearly symbolizes Sam, how he is and how he sees the world. Like the tortoise, he has secured himself within a (metaphorical, in his case) shell, but just like the tortoise's glass substance, equally he can see both within himself (by traveling in his Mind Palace) and analyze the reactions of others so as to get to the essence of things. This becomes solid reality close to the end, when Sam has to choose between keeping or abandoning his imaginary friend. If he decides to keep Imaginary Sam in his life, he will be in good terms with most of the people around him, but he will only be able to get to a small part of the truth concerning Nick's murder. If however he chooses to say goodbye to Imaginary Sam and go on with his life on his own, he will be able to proceed much further and get to the real mastermind behind not only Nick's assassination but also a network of drug trafficking, organized by a seemingly unscrupulous resident of the town.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjY-216ALhLIncID3P0c5BjyzqcFFl7YgaAdgvbncs2MzVleDafNwYaXWHtu2bLj4a0gLosSWKNyPMsUoInq88zY4nsURyVjVip7k48pJWbTzF8xscgJuhuOx4Al7RjfjOFQ1UZK4IUCESqF_Gj0o9sf7dpLKwg7qbUxN-G6gTHHSMSvZR2rZblb5IclQ=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjY-216ALhLIncID3P0c5BjyzqcFFl7YgaAdgvbncs2MzVleDafNwYaXWHtu2bLj4a0gLosSWKNyPMsUoInq88zY4nsURyVjVip7k48pJWbTzF8xscgJuhuOx4Al7RjfjOFQ1UZK4IUCESqF_Gj0o9sf7dpLKwg7qbUxN-G6gTHHSMSvZR2rZblb5IclQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">So does Nick become more social if he keeps Imaginary Sam in his life? Probably yes, but mostly because Imaginary Sam will always be there to guide him and point him to the "right", socially acceptable path. And does this mean that if Sam chooses to continue on his own, he will remain a cynical sociopath? Partly yes, but it seems like he has meanwhile learned a lot from his social self, and is now able to somehow adapt to his environment, albeit this may not be impressively obvious. In reality, Sam never truly lets go of his imaginary friend, he simply places him back to where he initially was, in the (literal and metaphorical) mirror of his childhood. The moment that Sam chooses the "Mind Palace" against "Him", he becomes more self-aware and ceases to depend on his imaginary friend for sentimental support and comfort, marking a coming-of-age point which, in his case, has more to do with coming to terms with his inner child and less with sentimentally growing up. Because he does need his inner child to always be there for him, but without being dominant in his adult life. Adult Sam is now far more capable to deal with the world and face it head-on, in his very own anti-social and cynical way.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjH-1mk7CEzK_u1212qQCfx6VpH7P683JGc6OBGw2IZdGbnB96IFpfj00xm9fGpbuxB1nk371niYLYrQRf6GG26vVZ5gMqeZfZf0uFChcvzOAEUmZn6troJ2p11t2N1KaAabteQqxtyymih2h9cUt78RfURkpJ2l8q2LWA5IPfFN37LxCTrCeD7aEn9dg=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjH-1mk7CEzK_u1212qQCfx6VpH7P683JGc6OBGw2IZdGbnB96IFpfj00xm9fGpbuxB1nk371niYLYrQRf6GG26vVZ5gMqeZfZf0uFChcvzOAEUmZn6troJ2p11t2N1KaAabteQqxtyymih2h9cUt78RfURkpJ2l8q2LWA5IPfFN37LxCTrCeD7aEn9dg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Twin Mirror</i> is fantastic as far as its metaphysical / psychological aspect goes, and Sam is a solid protagonist, presented with great precision and realism as the cold sociopath that he is. Where the game is somewhat weak is when it comes to the mystery story that backs it up, while one of the supposedly important people around Sam feels like an unnecessary addition that offers almost nothing to the development of the plot: his ex-girlfriend Anna had a lot of potential, but she appears simply as a neutral ally who could practically have been any other person in the small town. The fact that she became Nick's girlfriend during Sam's absence does not add even the slightest tension or intrigue, because on the one hand Nick is already dead when Sam returns and on the other, Sam loved his friend so much that any traces of jealousy towards him are unable to survive. This means that, on the romantic side, there is absolutely no conflict present. Not that there needed to be any romantic conflict, but its lack practically cancels Anna's role as the person who used to date first Sam and then Nick. She could have been any other friend, co-worker or whatever. She could have been a woman or a man and it would make absolutely no difference. Even her dialogue lines with Sam are neutral from that aspect, no matter whether you decide to let Sam form some kind of bond with her or not.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDaHKoZIAJfN12a-HHCOvSlh7TjYgJb0EKUPkAb0bfBve9oAOghXg1pW0pjYkKD45Sboyg9KPy9Ilo7cC3G6MIg3zMVvXXZp3mdqU1oVML_o5iCIgDYelnwspTEfGwoDm7TVs9R7YMLYlK0Ck0soO1Gk52bzbscCnSnzbfoj531Yk8u-u1p46k6f0UQw=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDaHKoZIAJfN12a-HHCOvSlh7TjYgJb0EKUPkAb0bfBve9oAOghXg1pW0pjYkKD45Sboyg9KPy9Ilo7cC3G6MIg3zMVvXXZp3mdqU1oVML_o5iCIgDYelnwspTEfGwoDm7TVs9R7YMLYlK0Ck0soO1Gk52bzbscCnSnzbfoj531Yk8u-u1p46k6f0UQw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Joan, on the other hand, is the plot's strongest weapon. As I mentioned a few paragraphs above, the most dramatic twist that happens concerns Sam's relationship with her. With Nick gone, Joan basically represents all the things that made her father stand out, while at the same time sharing character elements with Sam. It is Joan who is the true and essential connection between Sam and Nick, and not Anna. Sam's memories that involve Anna are not always pleasant, while the memories where Nick, Joan and himself participate, are happy, careless times. Joan has less screen time than Anna (which becomes even less if certain decisions are made), but her presence never stops to loom over Sam in a rather ominous way. Joan is a constant reminder of Nick, and she is also the one who literally pointed Sam's attention into details that made him start investigating the accident that caused his friend's death. Joan is obviously a gifted, intelligent child with strong instinct; she loves bugs and even has the Death's Head Hawkmoth stitched on the back of her jean jacket. Just like Sam, Joan is unable to deal with the stagnant life of the province, but while he chose to shut himself within his "shell" and thus find a way to survive, Joan shouts and protests and makes her feelings and intentions more than clear. Joan is intuitive like Sam but has her father's gift of easily blending in society, something that she may not be fully aware of yet. In fact Sam has a lot to learn from Joan, who is like an updated version of Imaginary Sam.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwAfP2wVlKfpKZSaWuNspATbQQyZ_MBIRIVokOX13GpABWUxYetoZ55OmtojeyrTnGJjW0XbzrY58Py9S6-0ty0DE6zacQdLnpTnRyrG0FyLV4s3Gwyo6Bt4yDsvAQXK2CxMBuG2Njbz8o6LG6DWHM1dvu5mYtjdnvR_YbUcO6Uxw3fVPEt_XwOcxfHg=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwAfP2wVlKfpKZSaWuNspATbQQyZ_MBIRIVokOX13GpABWUxYetoZ55OmtojeyrTnGJjW0XbzrY58Py9S6-0ty0DE6zacQdLnpTnRyrG0FyLV4s3Gwyo6Bt4yDsvAQXK2CxMBuG2Njbz8o6LG6DWHM1dvu5mYtjdnvR_YbUcO6Uxw3fVPEt_XwOcxfHg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">As far as the other characters are concerned, some of them, like Ethan or Walter, desperately needed more screen time. Ethan especially, the barman, is a very interesting character with whom, unfortunately, you only get to talk on two occasions, and there may be a very brief dialogue scene with him much later if you choose to go for one of the bad endings of the game. Very early in the story, if you make a certain choice, Ethan will talk to Sam about his family, and in particular his sister, who has apparently left home and now lives in a commune of outcasts in the outskirts of the town. This is in fact Sam's very first hint about the case he is investigating, although at that early point in the game there is no indication of its importance. Similarly Walter, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper where Sam used to work, and where Nick also worked until his sudden death, although being a rather stereotypical character (big and loud with a heart of gold, a cat lover who adores his mother), he is presented in such a way that makes him stand out and become instantly likeable. Anna's father, Joe, is also a solid, imposing character who could probably deserve a bigger role in the game, given that he was also one of the tragic victims of the mine accident that Sam exposed in his infamous article.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMV3ULs6TLHQ2iZb8nSv5qRp-mRSZfj1sXVjuCJDRTOk5rb5C172LwBjF_bjEtI8ObZmsUSY0X2ghJTBkQ0wPrP5wT-9blvY88CX9Prdyr6TqY36ezYYyrWUFT10kvdVBereCefwGZT_IRXhnKN9-iVbsEFlOg7Xjf-JgdEaqa75_W1bwM-W7dLfdngg=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMV3ULs6TLHQ2iZb8nSv5qRp-mRSZfj1sXVjuCJDRTOk5rb5C172LwBjF_bjEtI8ObZmsUSY0X2ghJTBkQ0wPrP5wT-9blvY88CX9Prdyr6TqY36ezYYyrWUFT10kvdVBereCefwGZT_IRXhnKN9-iVbsEFlOg7Xjf-JgdEaqa75_W1bwM-W7dLfdngg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">With<i> Life Is Strange 2</i>, the Dontnod team reached a peak that is very hard - if not impossible - to surpass. Like <i>Tell Me Why</i>, <i>Twin Mirror</i> is based on an extremely interesting idea which however seems to not be fully developed, although <i>Twin Mirror</i> is far more complex and elaborate than <i>Tell Me Why. </i>Speaking of which, the mystery story that I mentioned before carries out in a rather smooth and expected way, although parts of it involve intense moments of investigation thanks to Sam entering his Mind Palace to reach certain conclusions. There are very few people involved, so you can, more or less, easily deduce who may be the culprit, even if Sam chooses to keep Imaginary Sam, and therefore leave the case partly unresolved. Regardless the investigation is simply a background story, the main and prominent theme being Sam's spiritual and sentimental development, which also happens to be the game's most interesting aspect.<i> </i></p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQ-TP3faTWjmGhZTbDNWvvfYObo8gWx2dmHBiA1-6OpoKb-NgTzlP_X12q1TL5iIiH_tYsn03Cu-OlbQ7-7RxTfm9EFIgrBFWpLESc8JYNP3dVs3GG3dJiVFdFyOcdSCtpLuCfJ4rYDEAwCvdOoW9DZL6sI40GolGwDMijo-6lfMXVsyk7yNRfN0KtUQ=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQ-TP3faTWjmGhZTbDNWvvfYObo8gWx2dmHBiA1-6OpoKb-NgTzlP_X12q1TL5iIiH_tYsn03Cu-OlbQ7-7RxTfm9EFIgrBFWpLESc8JYNP3dVs3GG3dJiVFdFyOcdSCtpLuCfJ4rYDEAwCvdOoW9DZL6sI40GolGwDMijo-6lfMXVsyk7yNRfN0KtUQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Life Is Strange 2 </i>was also about the spiritual and sentimental development of its main characters, but additionally had an intense and powerful story to back it up. <i>Twin Mirror</i> lacks the latter, although its "realistic" story did have potential and the game could have been much longer if certain aspects were developed more and if some characters had a bigger role in the events. For example, I would have loved to see more of Nick, either via Sam's memories or through flashbacks; and maybe get more details about Sam's obviously close bond with his understanding father. For what it's worth, Sam's father was an essential supporting figure during the hero's troubled childhood, and it looks like, after his death, both Imaginary Sam and Nick kind of replaced him in Sam's adult life.<br /></p>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-21231919521913081862021-09-11T08:57:00.013-07:002022-08-03T10:19:44.507-07:00Resident Evil 6 In Restrospect<div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUyHbW-HPluvOSwkAHapLOaT0UbSzDh1iA11y-sqk17xm_5k17sZm6Gg0p3fxTLe9wpsVW0pEU4VTCyEreoosei8A_M_9Xic3HzLWNDJRfPzpUHhpz42ngyK-n1SJ6rqtRBNf3DIO5euw/s1920/2015-07-19_00016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1920" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUyHbW-HPluvOSwkAHapLOaT0UbSzDh1iA11y-sqk17xm_5k17sZm6Gg0p3fxTLe9wpsVW0pEU4VTCyEreoosei8A_M_9Xic3HzLWNDJRfPzpUHhpz42ngyK-n1SJ6rqtRBNf3DIO5euw/w640-h270/2015-07-19_00016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now that the classic Resident Evil saga - that is, from the very first game until the sixth, including the side games - has seemingly come to a halt, for the time being at least, it looks like a good time to view the highly underrated <i>Resident Evil 6</i> in retrospect, and under a different light. I had written <a href="https://www.strangedarkstories.com/2016/10/a-raccoon-city-reunion.html">an extensive review</a> several years ago, but now that it's been almost a decade since it's initial release, and taking the remake of <i>Resident Evil 2</i> into consideration - since this is very important, as I will explain in the article that follows - I feel that I have more specific feedback to offer, seeing how I also came to realize a few things which did bug me from the start that I couldn't exactly distinguish back then, although I loved the game and it still is one of my favorites of the series.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Resident Evil 6</i> is, on first look, an impressive game with a stellar cast, featuring four characters that belong to its classic core: Leon, Chris, Ada and Sherry come from the long past of the series, each one of them being connected to some of the most memorable stories of the saga. We could also include Ingrid Hunnigan in this dream team, since she is also a character who has appeared in <i>Resident Evil 4</i> alongside Leon and established herself as a memorable part of the cast. But the four aforementioned characters, since they are protagonists in their own plotlines, are the ones who star, and inevitably attract most of the limelight. Each of them has a different story to tell, although at certain points their paths cross and they experience the same things from a slightly different aspect. Technically, this has its pros and its cons, but I am not going to go there in this article, since I will focus exclusively on the story from a "literary", so to speak, point of view.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">What happens in the game plot-wise is that we have one main story which is split in four parts. Its core is a linear development of a series of events, while the additional storylines offer extra insight concerning certain characters and events. The very essence of the game's plot revolves around Jake Muller and Sherry Birkin, who find themselves stranded in war-torn Edonia after Sherry tracks Jake down among other mercenaries that are fighting in the civil war that is gradually devastating the region. Jake is Albert Wesker's son, and thanks to this heritage he has antibodies that can help fight the C-virus. Sherry has been sent to find him and bring him to her boss, Derek Simmons, naively believing that the latter wants Jake so as to use his blood for the development of an antidote for the virus. At some point they fall in a trap set by Carla Radames, a mad scientist who has cloned herself into an Ada Wong lookalike and whose intent is to use Jake's antibodies in order to make the virus stronger for her own gain. After spending six months imprisoned in a luxurious facility in China, Jake and Sherry manage to escape, at which point Sherry finds out the evil plans of her boss and decides to ignore all orders so as to save Jake and prevent the bad guys from taking advantage of his precious blood. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVWo3UcX6eUBgJgAY_b9h2FLAHssJHOdsiaj0nie2tJh9zwJlU9E2sQr9gkLINQbtI9yjrbtmZSwM-RP89NjXDYmiIb55XcyE9qB5-V1Fikc1u9Xojkwn8hrmov23zBm_dvicLf2ZbOBv/s1920/2015-08-08_00014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="1920" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVWo3UcX6eUBgJgAY_b9h2FLAHssJHOdsiaj0nie2tJh9zwJlU9E2sQr9gkLINQbtI9yjrbtmZSwM-RP89NjXDYmiIb55XcyE9qB5-V1Fikc1u9Xojkwn8hrmov23zBm_dvicLf2ZbOBv/w640-h268/2015-08-08_00014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In their long journey, Jake and Sherry come across Chris and his men, first in Edonia and later in China, Leon with his partner Helena and Ada who, however, never reveals herself to them. The campaigns of Chris, Leon and Ada explain how the three of them got involved in Jake and Sherry's story, each one of them following a very different path up to the point of each reunion. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Stripping <i>Resident Evil 6</i> off its many plotlines and focusing on the core of its story, all loose ends basically lead to Jake: he is Albert Wesker's son, which automatically makes him an extremely intriguing character, and he carries the antibodies that can help eliminate the virus. Simmons wants him in order to kill him or maybe keep him under control so as to prevent the discovery of a potential cure, Carla wants him so as to experiment on his antibodies and make the virus stronger and Sherry has been tasked to accompany him throughout his dangerous journey, putting her own life into great risk. All the surrounding stories eventually lead up to Jake one way or the other; Carla has even created a specially trained monster, Unstanak, that is able to sniff out and locate him. People die and sacrifice their lives for him, even unbeknownst to them. Chris himself crosses paths with him many times, helping him out on several occasions and eventually rescuing him for Carla's underwater facility. Ada literally watches over him, intervening whenever it is necessary to offer a hand. Leon, with his valuable intel, provides information about him that helps push the story forward, and he as well aids him in practice at a certain point. Jake is the leading key character in the game, he is essentially its driving force. His part of the story is the most important, and in my opinion it deserved more screen time and needed to be more complex and elaborate than the others. Leon's story is great and brings back memories of the older games, Chris's story is powerful, touching and heart-breaking, Ada's story has a mildly interesting plot with excellent gameplay - all of them have something to offer to the main story, but it is actually Jake's campaign that is to the point, it is the one where the "hot-stuff" happens, and Jake is the character who basically leads almost everyone's steps, although most of the times he is unaware of it and the game is structured in such a way as to (un)intentionally conceal it. When there is so much to do in the other three campaigns,
it is inevitable that the main focus is lost, and Jake's story is
considered on the same level of importance as the others - or less, even. </p><div style="text-align: justify;">I could perfectly see an extended version of Jake's campaign, maybe with flashbacks of his childhood, his mercenary past and memories of his father, as the main game with all the other three stories as accompanying DLCs; and moreso since now we have more insight concerning certain of the characters involved.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOi6Voar4oMjZ126HNNh5AbiRWDzvFsRv-GyHAY6r951ME1W6HmypPUnrm_CbGw8BwH67OqN_BOMpRr45Cpiexhbii49-0AEZq2i4br-lNAAajwLqpJM38S8tptOW12gRn-J7YNMpEfWG/s1920/2013-04-30_00062.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1920" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOi6Voar4oMjZ126HNNh5AbiRWDzvFsRv-GyHAY6r951ME1W6HmypPUnrm_CbGw8BwH67OqN_BOMpRr45Cpiexhbii49-0AEZq2i4br-lNAAajwLqpJM38S8tptOW12gRn-J7YNMpEfWG/w640-h270/2013-04-30_00062.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The release of <i>Resident Evil 2</i> remake put Leon and Claire's relationship in a new path. The emergence of a more than notable amount of fanart featuring the two of them as a "couple" after the remake, is on its own a strong proof of the impact that this unexpected but welcome change had. I don't know if this was done intentionally by the developers or it just happened randomly in the making of the game, but it looks like the remake simply highlighted what has always been there but the creators ignored, for some mysterious reason: Claire has always been the perfect choice of a female love interest for Leon, and not only because they look so good together on screen: Claire is the sister of Chris Redfield, a character as strong, charming and fascinating as Leon, and she has gone through a series of extremely dangerous adventures that she has carried out with impressive bravery and skill. So she is pretty much like Leon on that matter, their only difference being, up to a point, their social status: before Claire joins Terra Save, she is a civilian, while Leon is introduced to her as a police officer before he becomes a government agent. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">As much as I like Ada, I always felt that, excluding <i>Resident Evil 2 </i>
where she made her first appearance, she was thrown in the stories mainly as a plot
device and much less as an independent character. Although she did have
her separate plots in <i>Resident Evil 4</i> and <i>Resident Evil 6 </i>plus a small part in <i>The Umbrella Chronicles</i>, her
mysterious and constantly vaguely explained (if at all) intentions
seemed to be simply a cover-up for her real role: she was there as a
distraction for Leon, acting the same way towards him every single time, secretly helping
him in a way (although, in practice, her help was not really of much
use, unless you take the infamous Rocket Launcher drop into consideration),
and always disappearing in the end. Even in <i>Damnation</i>, the second of
the CGI movies starring Leon, her role, albeit seemingly crucial, was in fact
nothing more than a series of expected stunts; and although there is a
mention at some point of "something" that she and Leon started but never
finished, this stays in the air and, considering that <i>Damnation </i>took
place just before <i>Resident Evil 6</i>, we cannot even be sure that it was
indeed the real Ada in the movie, or if it was Carla, her evil "clone";
on the contrary, the story focused discreetly on Leon's connection with Alexander, something that became more and more obvious as the movie
progressed, and especially in the finale.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Claire has always been there by Leon's side, obviously the ideal companion for him but constantly ignored by her own creators. Just think of <i>Degeneration</i>, the first CGI movie: Leon would flirt with Angela as if this was the only expected prospect for him, while Claire would again be his "buddy". Not surprisingly, this changed in the brand new series, <i>Infinite Darkness</i>, which came right after the <i>Resident Evil 2</i> remake: you can definitely catch the undertones in the interactions between Leon and Claire, and although there is another female character in the story, Shen May, Leon has no romantic interest in her, nor her in him; she seems to be quite smitten with the ill-fated Jason, although she expresses it a bit too late; and in fact the one who ends up fascinated with Leon is Patrick, the young agent whom Leon saves early on from the attack of a bloodthirsty zombie.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6yqR5N8U3VZkEUuNUy21UCJC20sGxje81NXSMLPnWBnHgOfMUBFzng8eY6qlRWW5AjiVcogkdglDwNfdzkHF3RaXgfReuwKOHYcf_2AaL3I2gKtoV6lrjpCVWetDym0_PznGNIvDeSb9/s1920/2013-04-17_00097.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1920" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6yqR5N8U3VZkEUuNUy21UCJC20sGxje81NXSMLPnWBnHgOfMUBFzng8eY6qlRWW5AjiVcogkdglDwNfdzkHF3RaXgfReuwKOHYcf_2AaL3I2gKtoV6lrjpCVWetDym0_PznGNIvDeSb9/w640-h270/2013-04-17_00097.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have the impression that in their attempt to establish Ada as a main character in <i>Resident Evil 6</i>, the developers came up with the whole part involving Simmons's obsession with her which eventually led to the creation of her evil twin and his own tragic fate. Because this way, Ada would be essential for the story, and where she would simply appear and disappear again as a supporting character, like so many times before, instead she became the one who actually caused the evil mastermind's outrageous actions (albeit without her knowing), gaining more power as a character compared to her co-protagonists. This could have been an interesting standalone plotline, had Ada a game of her own. But in the whole context of <i>Resident Evil 6</i>, it is as if this specific story is there to minimize the importance of Jake's part and shift to Ada the focus that should have been all on him. In a different context, had the whole story been more elaborate and differently structured, Ada's "interlude" with Simmons could have been an ideal red herring. This basically means that if Simmons was "just" an evil guy without any interest in Ada, there would have been no need to create her clone; Carla would have simply been a genious-turned-crazy scientist (like Sherry's father), aiming at taking over the world (like Jake's father); and if Ada still appeared in the game, her role would have been very limited, and additionally Helena's story in the game would also have been unnecessary, at least as far as her sister's part was concerned. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Chris's story, on the other hand, was more than strong enough to get a separate game on its own. For what it's worth, Chris deserved it. We have witnessed instances showing the strong bond that he
shared with his comrades - like in the first game with Richard, for
instance, but never before have we seen our beloved marksman in action with a group of soldiers under his command, until<i> Resident Evil 6</i>.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98wKTaNRLbcp1u_iVz7YypheYGnF8fPKvatxhA_o190efetC0WONVsZw7T0_IRMqiFieEaDK1vXfLIBDpQZ1feymEPt22HNJq_QF753W0_OWHQ1OwU0sE8z3Id7Bf0bFL91l8wGvP_VeO/s1920/2013-04-13_00104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1920" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98wKTaNRLbcp1u_iVz7YypheYGnF8fPKvatxhA_o190efetC0WONVsZw7T0_IRMqiFieEaDK1vXfLIBDpQZ1feymEPt22HNJq_QF753W0_OWHQ1OwU0sE8z3Id7Bf0bFL91l8wGvP_VeO/w640-h270/2013-04-13_00104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This was the first time that we saw him as a
leader of his team, and his relationship with Piers was very intriguing,
to say the least. Most of us have noticed the desperate subtle
confession that Piers mutters to Chris at the tragic finale of the
story, and how sad and devastated Chris is in the concluding scenes. It
would have been extremely interesting if the ending was extended, and
we, as Chris, could get to choose between two possible endings a-la <i>Life is Strange</i>
with a dramatic "Save Piers or Save the world" kind of moral dilemma. I
confess I would have chosen to save Piers without the slightest
remorse.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Speaking of which - and this is something I have mentioned also in my review - I love the character development in this game, although now, after having replayed it recently, I wish it stood out a bit more. We see Helena becoming more compassionate thanks to Leon's influence; Jake ends up far less cynical thanks to Sherry, and Sherry gains more confidence in herself because of Jake; Chris gradually frees himself from the ghosts that haunt him thanks to Piers's support, while his unexpected meeting with Leon seems to play a highly important role in him admitting that he was indeed trying to hide from his past: Leon somehow connected him with his "original" self, the "legendary Chris Redfield" like Piers call him, since Leon came from a time in his life when everything was different. It is not random that it is after this specific encounter that he comes completely to his senses; and then bumping onto Jake, his archenemy's son, brings out his real, heroic and just character. Piers and Leon, for their own part, are by default positive and balancing characters, with their sense of duty and kind heart always showing, never losing their nerve and constantly being ready to face any situation with calm and insight. Only Ada seems to be totally detached throughout the whole story, just momentarily showing a hint of emotion during her meeting with Leon, and then going back again to her cold self. The sole moment when she really seems emotionally overwhelmed is at the end when she destroys Carla's lab; but this is probably due to the fact that Carla stealing her identity was something that personally affected her deeply.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">What is more interesting, however, is that in spite of the presence of so many known characters, it is actually Leon who represents the spirit and essence of Resident Evil (the whole first chapter of his story is a tribute to classics like <i>Resident Evil 2 </i>and <i>Nemesis</i>), while at the same time being the link that connects all main characters: he personally knows Sherry, Chris and Ada and he is the one who sends Chris to rescue Jake and Sherry. Leon functions as an invariant in the Resident Evil saga, much more than the other classic characters, and this is something that becomes much more evident in <i>Resident Evil 6</i>, if you view the game with the distance of time and taking into consideration the power and gravity of Leon's presence and his emotional and intellectual development throughout the games.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Related articles: </p><p style="text-align: justify;">» <a href="https://www.strangedarkstories.com/2016/10/a-raccoon-city-reunion.html">Resident Evil 6 Review</a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">» <a href="https://www.strangedarkstories.com/2020/02/a-love-undercover.html">A Love Undercover </a><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-91288126624592377082021-07-05T06:31:00.017-07:002022-08-11T03:30:44.515-07:00The Tragic Fate of Ethan Winters: In the Aftermath of "Resident Evil: Village"<div><p><i></i></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i></i></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOWdlv7pHW3NAZdoQXiNAP6OPnthxqFNf785PL21qkAL2rfodKCxaCp-pCHo9CUY7VbXSiqtRme6Zfd7A01J-WVz9mZdYkvbi9ciw6VX4oLFfoAPf_xZkGNlfiqzWJMUyM_4Y-9xF1xs_/s1360/20210705012521_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1360" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOWdlv7pHW3NAZdoQXiNAP6OPnthxqFNf785PL21qkAL2rfodKCxaCp-pCHo9CUY7VbXSiqtRme6Zfd7A01J-WVz9mZdYkvbi9ciw6VX4oLFfoAPf_xZkGNlfiqzWJMUyM_4Y-9xF1xs_/w640-h362/20210705012521_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Resident Evil: Village</i> concludes the story of Ethan Winters in a most dramatic way, or at least this is how it seems with the data that we have so far. For this is Resident Evil, after all, a universe where we have seen characters come back from the dead enough times so as to have hope that maybe this wasn't the last that we saw of the saga's latest lead hero.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ethan Winters has been (and possibly still is) a curious case; we only had the chance to accompany him in two games, after he was introduced to us quite abruptly in <i>Resident Evil 7</i>, a game which, moreover, drove the series to a new path. To begin with, <i>Resident Evil 7</i> was in first person. Excluding the on-rails games that were <i>The Darkside Chronicles</i> and<i> The Umbrella Chronicles</i>, this was the first time that a title of the saga was in first person. Personally I didn't mind that; some of my most favorite games happen to be in first person, so playing a Resident Evil story in such a mode was quite enjoyable. What I didn't like much was how the developers, probably following the example of <i>Outlast</i>, insisted in never showing Ethan's face to us, even making his in-game model headless. This was a strange condition for a Resident Evil game, coming from a series where the characters always played an important part, their personality being an essential element of the stories. <i>Code Veronica</i>, for instance, would have never been the same if we were unable to actually see Claire's reactions on screen, the feelings that her facial expressions would betray. Or if we were never able to witness Leon's thoughtful face as he was approaching the village in <i>Resident Evil 4</i>, or his emotional state as he watched innocent people being eaten alive by zombies in <i>Resident Evil 6</i>. Specifically I am talking about the cutscenes - even if Ethan never showed his face in-game, he could very well appear normally in the cutscenes, like it usually is the case in first person games. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In<i> Resident Evil 7</i>, this was not so much of an issue, of course. Almost until the end, we were in the process of adapting to the game's new tactics and of getting to know the cast, including its protagonist. All this changed with <i>Resident Evil: Village</i>. This time around, Ethan's story became a lot more personal, focusing on his close family and the two most beloved people in his life: his wife and his baby. It was unavoidable that the time we got to spend with Ethan in <i>Village</i>, brought us much closer to him and we got to know and like him more. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzuIgCx-0RDQds9sz9xJbIoM3919lPgj1W6eqpQwk8qYhzk9MVgLgI3Lq7K4uidSkEGr6zXPfSlbvP4LqqjipWb-ueX_5UCHPn_A9DA4OtX1UzsE-a6gEXr9aiaRpHRJh9Saomui6ydTW/s1280/20210611234547_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1280" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzuIgCx-0RDQds9sz9xJbIoM3919lPgj1W6eqpQwk8qYhzk9MVgLgI3Lq7K4uidSkEGr6zXPfSlbvP4LqqjipWb-ueX_5UCHPn_A9DA4OtX1UzsE-a6gEXr9aiaRpHRJh9Saomui6ydTW/w640-h362/20210611234547_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The story takes place a few years after the Baker house incident. Ethan and Mia, who now have a baby, a girl called Rosemary, are under the protection of Chris Redfield who, incidentally, has meanwhile differentiated himself from the BSAA for unknown reasons. I'd like to think that he was so heartbroken after Piers's death, that he couldn't go on working in the same environment any more. At some point, Chris bursts into Ethan's home, inexplicably shoots Mia dead and kidnaps Ethan and the baby. Something goes wrong however, and Ethan ends up alone at the snowy outskirts of a mountainous village in Eastern Europe, where he begins a desperate search for his baby, while at the same time trying to figure out why Chris, who was so caring and protective over him and his family, killed Mia in cold blood.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">With the help of a local merchant, the Duke, and with his own investigation, he discovers that Rosemary has been abducted by Mother Miranda, a weird woman who poses as a prophet in the area and has the villagers worship her as some kind of god. Miranda has four prestigious residents of the region under her command, treating them as her "children" and giving them orders on a regular basis. As it turns out, Miranda, as well as her children, are all mutated; Miranda has been carrying experiments in order to be able to resurrect her dead daughter, by making use of a parasitic organism that grew deep in the mountains of the area, and found the perfect host in Rosemary. This is not what is important, however. It is not the first time that we see such a scenario in a game (<i>The Evil Within 2</i> comes to mind, and I'm sure there's many more). An unexpected revelation happens when Chris confesses to Ethan that the Mia he killed was not the real one; it was actually Mother Miranda, who apparently was able to shape shift; and he did not even kill her, as she was able to come back to life soon after. But even this is not the clue of the story. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbYF1iOhl-ay09dKlxbzYwjpljkODjoEKTnJmn_Vw1wl6li6u-LEOlt9BWcULKko2GJWIAKFdFVuJd7jwTjhz9qoHLWIVufrCvi5KxIIAYuQlaDCvmbdjWRzpIje5sAUU-LJAcs0obB_v/s1360/20210705151524_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1360" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbYF1iOhl-ay09dKlxbzYwjpljkODjoEKTnJmn_Vw1wl6li6u-LEOlt9BWcULKko2GJWIAKFdFVuJd7jwTjhz9qoHLWIVufrCvi5KxIIAYuQlaDCvmbdjWRzpIje5sAUU-LJAcs0obB_v/w640-h362/20210705151524_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After we witness Ethan's shocking death in the hands of Mother Miranda, we see him wake up in a cold place where he is greeted by a familiar face. It is Eveline from <i>Resident Evil 7</i>, who informs him that he actually died back in Louisiana, during his very first encounter with Jack Baker: the patriarch of the family of creeps beat him to death in the attic, minutes after his arrival, but since he was infected with the Mold he was able to resurrect, never realizing his actual state. That is why he could re-attach his cut hand or leg, and could never die no matter how badly he got hit. So Ethan was in fact dead all along, and moreover, thanks to his unwilling mutation, was potentially extremely strong. His altered DNA was passed on to his daughter, making Rosemary practically a super-weapon, which is why Miranda so ardently wanted to take advantage of her. In the end, Ethan sacrifices himself after sending Chris away with Rosemary, in a scene that is very similar to Piers's sacrifice in<i> Resident Evil 6</i>.<br /></div><div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNf1Vrkj9uHeylx6EaMCv0uaPdoZAyuazsV3uQXIwv32TnMxZ8CPKel8kaigg3MqOiuOJkLAgSgPnUnqkeLYFqS9_zJ-n0wCPOlSj8zbWezHVtyJ1gDfaoJNUQSlzmCuwX-xRgcVuYr4Rc/s1360/20210705151639_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1360" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNf1Vrkj9uHeylx6EaMCv0uaPdoZAyuazsV3uQXIwv32TnMxZ8CPKel8kaigg3MqOiuOJkLAgSgPnUnqkeLYFqS9_zJ-n0wCPOlSj8zbWezHVtyJ1gDfaoJNUQSlzmCuwX-xRgcVuYr4Rc/w640-h362/20210705151639_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I was truly hoping that, in the sequence where Chris finds Ethan's unconscious body after Miranda rips his heart out, the developers would sort of reward us with a revealing view of his face at last. But of course this didn't happen. I like to believe that maybe in a future game they will introduce a seemingly new character - maybe a bad guy - who will actually be Ethan, but since we have never seen him, we probably won't be able to recognize him. And yes, I know we have seen Ethan's model in full, but we have never seen his in-game face, how his features change with every emotion, how he looks when he is happy and how when he is sad. The developers claim that they did it this way so that the players could identify better with the protagonist, but I don't think it can work this way. This is not <i>Outlast</i> where emphasis is put on the horror factor. This is a game where the character has a serious backstory that we know very well; he has a personality and he has his own place in this fictional world. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZwgGUZfVIyhQ_vI9ucverngFgEXDwA4rWc4TBlvKwxZrXEeyrI9iTmCV5bIYSHKzkXJ4HwyKojUO2-QFjJMMikp-NChdQf3BGL4uM9d0Dzn_BGTk__2CMMQkgKFsU5d3gNTNagX3GTl0/s1360/20210705151410_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1360" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZwgGUZfVIyhQ_vI9ucverngFgEXDwA4rWc4TBlvKwxZrXEeyrI9iTmCV5bIYSHKzkXJ4HwyKojUO2-QFjJMMikp-NChdQf3BGL4uM9d0Dzn_BGTk__2CMMQkgKFsU5d3gNTNagX3GTl0/w640-h362/20210705151410_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Although I can't say that Ethan was one of my favorite characters in the saga, I still liked him a lot and especially in this game I grew to feel him like a friend of sorts. We've been through thick and thin with him, after all. His personality was highlighted more, we were able to form a more precise idea about his character and his attitude. Truth is, however, that it was the lead baddies, Miranda's four "children", that stole the spotlight. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Lady Dimitrescu, the unnaturally tall vampire with the extending nails and the three bloodthirsty daughters, was the first to catch out attention. A beautiful woman with an attractive figure, but at the same time terrifying due to her height and her cannibalistic habits, however turned out to be a minor boss with the least important role in the story, despite the incredibly enchanting atmosphere of her castle which brought back memories of Ramon Salazar's residence.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-834Ym0B0__Autg8KAqnsGJpPJHY40GtXNXsZqa2uUv1jq_ZCewebTc5aGkrdrvJwCQUDXYjGjFjTI7XC6u_BvFdstowg29rfqQkAM6OmQ2gkBldPgZYaSPSSQSTeTvRvJ3phdxBNjw9/s1280/20210611233219_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-834Ym0B0__Autg8KAqnsGJpPJHY40GtXNXsZqa2uUv1jq_ZCewebTc5aGkrdrvJwCQUDXYjGjFjTI7XC6u_BvFdstowg29rfqQkAM6OmQ2gkBldPgZYaSPSSQSTeTvRvJ3phdxBNjw9/w640-h360/20210611233219_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Then it was Donna Beneviento, one of my favorites. Hiding behind a black veil, always carrying her horrific doll, she looked like a female mock version of Ethan: like with him, we could never see her face (except in a portrait and, after she died, we had the chance to briefly catch a glimpse before she dissolved), and she was holding on to her doll, just like Ethan was desperate to hold his daughter again. Interestingly enough, the House Beneviento incident is not only the most compelling part of the plot (its atmosphere and setting remind me a lot of <i>The Evil Within</i>, by the way), but moreover is the one that is most closely connected to Ethan's story. House Beneviento is a huge and complicated puzzle, created mostly by hallucinations, where all the parts are related to Ethan and his family: his wedding song, films from his life, a giant doll depicting Mia, a gruesome gigantic embryo that hunts him around mocking his baby daughter. The code to open a locked door is his wedding anniversary with Mia, and even Angie, Donna's creepy doll, is dressed like a bride, malevolently nodding to Ethan's wife, and also nodding to the ghostly Miss Havisham in Charles Dickens's "Great Expectations".<br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4pX9DmQbrxcxyZif_srY10c886fwWpZUIuRL6IyatDMNjwiL9QC0NRwUr1YV4MnMAviBrQ8XSc3R-Nn_hP6nRbj2hv-Ppns62cYG2gRz3V3nF77ty-VVonyYV0vRGlHb-NvzZbuibmQD/s1280/20210614183526_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1280" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4pX9DmQbrxcxyZif_srY10c886fwWpZUIuRL6IyatDMNjwiL9QC0NRwUr1YV4MnMAviBrQ8XSc3R-Nn_hP6nRbj2hv-Ppns62cYG2gRz3V3nF77ty-VVonyYV0vRGlHb-NvzZbuibmQD/w640-h362/20210614183526_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Dr Moreau is a weird, fish-like mutant whose posture and movement remind me a lot of the old beggar in Francisco Goya's painting of <a href="https://i.imgur.com/wQBI6js.jpg">"Old Beggar with a Maja"</a>. There is no intriguing interaction between him and Ethan, apart from random attacking attempts as our hero is trying to do what is necessary in order to weaken and defeat him. Dr Moreau is the most neutral of all Mother Miranda's children; he seems indifferent towards Ethan, his main concern being to appear as a good son in Miranda's eyes. His area is a secluded part of the village where everything is working with hydro-power via a rather elaborate but old-fashioned system involving windmills, that seems to have been lost in time. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWi6t1ZFVzo_BXFA6CWUsVcNSmvxWdqzqbDHodu10gAZL9sNc4ljgc-eq2Nuf65XO_Xj1oczfL56FkqwYGUdrp8f3tWQLfyy60d5mtERK3ynLix1hIrY5Jy2o403SlIBYMlxlQqHcAJ7w/s1920/20210612114930_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWi6t1ZFVzo_BXFA6CWUsVcNSmvxWdqzqbDHodu10gAZL9sNc4ljgc-eq2Nuf65XO_Xj1oczfL56FkqwYGUdrp8f3tWQLfyy60d5mtERK3ynLix1hIrY5Jy2o403SlIBYMlxlQqHcAJ7w/w640-h360/20210612114930_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Last but not least, Karl Heisenberg is, along with Donna, one of the most interesting lead enemies of the game. Unlike Dr Moreau, he openly hates Mother Miranda and is determined to stand against and eliminate her. Obsessed with engineering and machinery, he runs a factory where he produces super-powerful mechanical soldiers, hoping to form an army big and strong enough to defeat Miranda. His aim is to use Rosemary in order to get to his goal, and he keeps trying to persuade Ethan to join him in his ambitious plan. Heisenberg keeps talking to Ethan as our hero wanders around the factory, sometimes degrading him and other times confessing his own impatience to get rid of Miranda. Although he is one of the coolest characters in the saga, his part of the story is unfortunately ruined by the ridiculous mutation that he goes through in the end, where he transforms into a tank-like machine, a tangle of magnets, buttons, iron bars and God knows what else. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEdqW42lMtHMB7dV6qhY8SnS4Syghv9W2LxWtF5u5WbXW9Lim9jZF-wuxk1sbXucPMjDpZnAWfZ3XPLRHSps-tWKJy9BEfjZlnWPfY9_Unaece3m8MCZnzOH2hyphenhyphen3BIv6y4q2fPjODuzcV/s1280/20210612185709_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEdqW42lMtHMB7dV6qhY8SnS4Syghv9W2LxWtF5u5WbXW9Lim9jZF-wuxk1sbXucPMjDpZnAWfZ3XPLRHSps-tWKJy9BEfjZlnWPfY9_Unaece3m8MCZnzOH2hyphenhyphen3BIv6y4q2fPjODuzcV/w640-h360/20210612185709_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Notably, all of the four lead bosses seem to be obsessed with something: Heisenberg is obsessed with his machines, Donna with her dolls, Dr Moreau with his water, Lady Dimitrescu with her prestigious bloodline. Quite possibly Miranda used their obsessions in order to manipulate them and make them part of her experiments. That said, Mother Miranda, in spite of being the evil mind behind everything, is not so memorable, and the final confrontation with her feels more like a chore and much less like an imposing boss fight. On the contrary, the brief scene where Ethan is lying inside Duke's cart with the merchant driving him to the altar, and then gets out and we see the black horse that was actually leading the cart, bringing to mind a Victorian hearse, is one of the strongest and most blood-chilling of the game.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXT2rZFbQaECiv0zlh5N8qdPbvei4EiUXDN80VDdr0RuqLbSNIbDf6GMLb4eBb8_ww2D72iT-o2NP0LLrMKX3TUtyXGiJihGuZIr3mCAEoPmJarBBbhOeQLju-QygT4zmeRtUENTZ3_GC/s1280/20210705150841_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1280" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXT2rZFbQaECiv0zlh5N8qdPbvei4EiUXDN80VDdr0RuqLbSNIbDf6GMLb4eBb8_ww2D72iT-o2NP0LLrMKX3TUtyXGiJihGuZIr3mCAEoPmJarBBbhOeQLju-QygT4zmeRtUENTZ3_GC/w640-h362/20210705150841_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">With <i>Village</i>, the Resident Evil series took an interesting turn, but I feel that somehow the potential of both the story and the characters were not fully explored. The ending left me with a bitter taste, and not only because of the unexpected twist that was Ethan's death. There were characters in the game, like Donna or Heisenberg, that should have had a bigger role. I feel that Donna's past and the backstory of her lineage, for instance, should have been presented in more detail, and in more sections of the game; and same goes for Heisenberg. Unlike Lady Dimitrescu or Dr Moreau who seem to be secluded in their personal spaces, both Donna and Heisenberg have a looming presence in many parts of the village. As I mentioned a few paragraphs above, Donna in particular seems to reflect Ethan and his quest in a morbid, creepy way. In my humble opinion, this is a feature that should have been highlighted a lot more. Moreover, Donna somehow embeds certain familiar enemies from the previous games, namely Ramon Salazar from<i> Resident Evil 4 </i>and Alfred and Alexia Ashford from <i>Code Veronica</i>, and also nods to the Victoriano family from <i>The Evil Within </i>(like Salazar and the Ashfords, also created by Shinji Mikami), characters that share a series of common elements: all of them bring an aura of Victorian decadence about them, both with the way they are dressed and their attitude; they are deranged, their life is a tragedy, and they seem to have emerged from a vintage fairy tale, never being able to adapt to the modern world, reminiscing the glory of past days, at the same time reminding us that the stories they are involved in also belong to a world of magic and fancy.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiup5Iw3CLS2TBlNWgK87s7lb1JYqffgUxsLe0MkksjBHSu3jAmX5vAt1u1Voyl_cHau8ENGDHS7OOx-1byHCM-hO2JZCAr6v_Kt92N44EgR03Xcao6gnA-6yA6EVgpfBbjueGQ0WvgQ4Zi/s1280/20210705152151_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiup5Iw3CLS2TBlNWgK87s7lb1JYqffgUxsLe0MkksjBHSu3jAmX5vAt1u1Voyl_cHau8ENGDHS7OOx-1byHCM-hO2JZCAr6v_Kt92N44EgR03Xcao6gnA-6yA6EVgpfBbjueGQ0WvgQ4Zi/w640-h360/20210705152151_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-26491620479836523302021-06-04T02:47:00.001-07:002021-06-04T03:20:22.436-07:00Vintage Elements In Video Games: The Gramophone<p style="text-align: justify;">Few things are creepier than the scratching sound of a needle running on vinyl while an enchanting melody echoes through dark, haunting halls and corridors. The very essence of a gramophone is embedded in the most charming and, at the same time, terrifying way in several horror games, where this specific object may be just a passive part of the environment, or it could play a crucial role in the plot, in its own distorted, usually twisted way.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The gramophone as an item is a beautiful thing to look at. Almost always decorated with a large, flower-like pavillion, a carefully crafted manivelle and a solid-looking, impressive base, it is not only an object to admire, but also one that is automatically connected to the old times with a good deal of nostalgia. The fact that it comes from years ago yet it is still a functional item that can be operated and work properly, adds a lot to its vintage charm, as does the several imperfections that its reproductions have in the sound. Once frowned upon, the scratchings and crackings that can be heard on the vinyl as the needle runs on the record, are now considered elements of great sentimental and aesthetic value. Any kind of music can emit a completely different feel when accompanied by those.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Many times gramophones are just part of a room's setting, possibly an object of heritage or maybe expressing the house owner's love for vintage items, like the one that appears in Dr Ramusskin's living room in <i>Gray Matter</i>. Such gramophones are peaceful, with no creepy aura about them, and they simply add a touch of retro charm to the environments where they are found.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFnYAtnMTK7dPSsXbRZP3B5spp4lqKMqpMyAdrBZ07azU294Rl3P5e2PM_x3AM-BqthijufSWCsE1PaXcWaCC1o9rj9JRDQjBqqWFjkDv-231Tg0BFAORMVhZJvoaB9AadffN-tQCzOF6/s1280/tumblr_inline_oufje1ByRF1szxbvs_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFnYAtnMTK7dPSsXbRZP3B5spp4lqKMqpMyAdrBZ07azU294Rl3P5e2PM_x3AM-BqthijufSWCsE1PaXcWaCC1o9rj9JRDQjBqqWFjkDv-231Tg0BFAORMVhZJvoaB9AadffN-tQCzOF6/w640-h360/tumblr_inline_oufje1ByRF1szxbvs_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">In <i>Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness</i>, Lara Croft spots a gramophone with a golden pavillion at the back of Renne's Pawnshop,
while looking for information that will lead her to the mysterious Frenchman Bouchard. The pawnshop hosts several items that come from different eras and styles, like two old armchairs, a bicycle, or a washing machine. It is unclear whether the gramophone belongs to the owner of the store or is one of the many pawned items in there - although most likely it is the second case.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkD8TXtj7n4i-8nPIFhCcH52hPRvxCCQl5SMuVjami3Ky1RtdClvSBizM19iY3LfcQLWvG4vE3yfuA3npf0bwes9PBa-6R4Nx2j_jkhMM51rMIIEYVtJjNPZAU8DXZSrEz-cwZySKSm6S5/s1280/tumblr_inline_oc5uhfKhj41szxbvs_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkD8TXtj7n4i-8nPIFhCcH52hPRvxCCQl5SMuVjami3Ky1RtdClvSBizM19iY3LfcQLWvG4vE3yfuA3npf0bwes9PBa-6R4Nx2j_jkhMM51rMIIEYVtJjNPZAU8DXZSrEz-cwZySKSm6S5/w640-h360/tumblr_inline_oc5uhfKhj41szxbvs_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Similarly peaceful on first look, the gramophone which stands on the desk in the claustrophobic
office of the Antarctica Facility in<i> Resident Evil: Code Veronica</i> plays no music but the overall setting of the room, which is tiny yet full of bizarre, scary details, like the bear trophy head or
the framed vintage sword, makes it look rather ominous. The gramophone stands out in its bright
colours, yet one more vintage object in a room where modern technology
is also present in the form of a fax machine or a computer.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsB2Az38S1GZ0XO-i3zpKvUk-uoNBBea6GzZENVd037t-1v3-fWFPfYuRkFog02KkMBUdW6cKMFXlsEliNCO-GZx9JM7-XbMYFuFiulrqRAwPGBlSd5OsJkmzCkn7gZnwHHvX11V9ZWZX/s1234/tumblr_inline_oh2fjc81iU1szxbvs_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1234" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsB2Az38S1GZ0XO-i3zpKvUk-uoNBBea6GzZENVd037t-1v3-fWFPfYuRkFog02KkMBUdW6cKMFXlsEliNCO-GZx9JM7-XbMYFuFiulrqRAwPGBlSd5OsJkmzCkn7gZnwHHvX11V9ZWZX/w640-h526/tumblr_inline_oh2fjc81iU1szxbvs_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The setting is reproduced in "Game of Oblivion", the episode of <i>The Darkside Chronicles </i>which retells the Code Veronica story. The gramophone is again there, this time in the corner of the room, one more time positioned below the framed sword.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVqZnkvlI-AtGI1HtfiIdF5diIEfHvmUzmZTHyeA0DNnXOTf9ssQj6gBuFXuyhdcIlQRhPCdVk-_za98ZbhxHHoPnIJiHe1SoWwz8z36b_TaQjym7Busecrba7OW_TaqwSUgYg9MKAnS5/s1280/tumblr_inline_omtxxx3IAK1szxbvs_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1280" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVqZnkvlI-AtGI1HtfiIdF5diIEfHvmUzmZTHyeA0DNnXOTf9ssQj6gBuFXuyhdcIlQRhPCdVk-_za98ZbhxHHoPnIJiHe1SoWwz8z36b_TaQjym7Busecrba7OW_TaqwSUgYg9MKAnS5/w640-h338/tumblr_inline_omtxxx3IAK1szxbvs_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Gramophones seem to be an essential part of the environment in old villas and manors, so it is no surprise when we stumble upon one in the trap-filled yet enchanting Spencer mansion in the first <i>Resident Evil</i> game. Found in a small office, officially called "reading room" with several other vintage objects, said gramophone contributes to the already spooky, haunting atmosphere of the house. The record that sits on its turntable is "Jupiter", a symphony by Mozart, but we do not get a chance to listen to it.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnMmL9U-pGQUL4NW3mltsrttB82tHabtMfQaoyBWLQs0QmyLY0kzyV9EFEHFKYaTDbXrAVVUvw2GrHZE-cwaXSzRVnmXogpqz5IFHp_ytAz6blRkjThdlrrAxYnzI5ZbcsE15KArFJ1Do/s1280/tumblr_inline_obz13d70cw1szxbvs_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1280" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnMmL9U-pGQUL4NW3mltsrttB82tHabtMfQaoyBWLQs0QmyLY0kzyV9EFEHFKYaTDbXrAVVUvw2GrHZE-cwaXSzRVnmXogpqz5IFHp_ytAz6blRkjThdlrrAxYnzI5ZbcsE15KArFJ1Do/w640-h362/tumblr_inline_obz13d70cw1szxbvs_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In <i>Thief Reboot</i>, Garret comes across several steampunk-styled gramophones in the gloomy buildings rooms that he infiltrates. They are all identical, with a thin horn, pretty much like the one in the Spencer mansion.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4z8c1y4oD1aKotTuh4W-0vNpuOYZFWOMSympBEEhVg0s3_-WKL28TspREoP2EQ3_nzxL1Y-2DSs4KpmpS9utx20JUKl57EV6tUIB3-oK7SdMpRc4RQ4IAgD3HT4Cxsz3YGr-tFBRiBYu/s1280/tumblr_inline_ov3j46ASpx1szxbvs_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4z8c1y4oD1aKotTuh4W-0vNpuOYZFWOMSympBEEhVg0s3_-WKL28TspREoP2EQ3_nzxL1Y-2DSs4KpmpS9utx20JUKl57EV6tUIB3-oK7SdMpRc4RQ4IAgD3HT4Cxsz3YGr-tFBRiBYu/w640-h360/tumblr_inline_ov3j46ASpx1szxbvs_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In <i>Resident Evil: Outbreak</i>, one can be seen in the vintage-looking office which is on the upper floor of Jack's Bar. As the zombies swarm the bar and the other rooms below, the survivors start exploring the upper areas, looking for a way to escape. The gramophone is on a wooden stand, in front of a bookcase, and plays no music - it could very well be dysfunctional, used only for decoration purposes.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hPtewc4jjVfEEshq3mJWrWgfFQ8eZNQrDnSaeiIVoHTb89xWSFhIdNTxpyZoTDXCwlsTiB-GhBAa2x9pm9bKU6lTPlahwwKqWQ6P0t9mduq0RyLJlwLUbifKKzwUvYEzixrI8wd2e4Vo/s1280/tumblr_inline_obz12ufvvi1szxbvs_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hPtewc4jjVfEEshq3mJWrWgfFQ8eZNQrDnSaeiIVoHTb89xWSFhIdNTxpyZoTDXCwlsTiB-GhBAa2x9pm9bKU6lTPlahwwKqWQ6P0t9mduq0RyLJlwLUbifKKzwUvYEzixrI8wd2e4Vo/w640-h480/tumblr_inline_obz12ufvvi1szxbvs_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the half-real - half-ghostly world of <i>Murdered: Soul Suspect</i>,
gramophones look quite spooky, as they are reminders of older times by
default and sometimes they are revealed as elements of past visions or
parts of the real world that belong to their ghostly counterpart. They
don't play any music, but this doesn't make them any less compelling.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwKkG29baszgrRPJrgVM5nuEBUtwXokA0bRE9H-dric_KCgNsJDj6doOTTykiem3rjzlug2TX5600HzSuce20dWK6XO-g7ryPqm3ZM0uYzOuX30trXB0JFP1POGV10kgaXOZtVstUYIA2/s1280/tumblr_inline_opef35CT0S1szxbvs_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwKkG29baszgrRPJrgVM5nuEBUtwXokA0bRE9H-dric_KCgNsJDj6doOTTykiem3rjzlug2TX5600HzSuce20dWK6XO-g7ryPqm3ZM0uYzOuX30trXB0JFP1POGV10kgaXOZtVstUYIA2/w640-h360/tumblr_inline_opef35CT0S1szxbvs_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Gramophones that play music on their own or that can be interacted with to do so are naturally much more interesting. In <i>Tomb Raider: Reborn</i>, the gramophone becomes an important element of the environment and its creepy atmosphere in what looks like a slaughter room filled with butchered meat and tons of garbage. The room is underground, and passing through it is unavoidable, as there seems to be no other way forward. There is a record playing on the gramophone, and the music that is heard is an eery chant that sounds like ritualistic vocals.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewGkf1_xwDVJnzjZuX6END9ozy3secqgg18VL2QRadLyqeEXS7u64ofFy_lzvCMir-mZWGJywB8toc99eyGqyxOIwj5iZZMudsOqqJ9gpPNU-_qVl8nk7H3yHMtje0dvdDpQPoiIiYeUH/s1280/tumblr_inline_obz144eY891szxbvs_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewGkf1_xwDVJnzjZuX6END9ozy3secqgg18VL2QRadLyqeEXS7u64ofFy_lzvCMir-mZWGJywB8toc99eyGqyxOIwj5iZZMudsOqqJ9gpPNU-_qVl8nk7H3yHMtje0dvdDpQPoiIiYeUH/w640-h360/tumblr_inline_obz144eY891szxbvs_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">A much cozier and friendly gramophone can be found in Lara's library, in<i> Rise of the Tomb Raider</i>. Not only it is a more than fitting addition to Lara's mansion, it also plays the iconic "Venice Violins" tune from<i> Tomb Raider 2</i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNazIthu0-cls0cLLt4q-20q7JakVWPUcxOONl1nRXSdnPbweONYsCjQfPHdUWCUg-6nmMFO2RzAjH7QbOigLfEHFfzVPHbMU5wu1u2v2-rqkVw1QQpTjAuDmaVqFUVDbFMnrkdoYBJK1m/s1280/tumblr_inline_oh8v0cuK1B1szxbvs_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNazIthu0-cls0cLLt4q-20q7JakVWPUcxOONl1nRXSdnPbweONYsCjQfPHdUWCUg-6nmMFO2RzAjH7QbOigLfEHFfzVPHbMU5wu1u2v2-rqkVw1QQpTjAuDmaVqFUVDbFMnrkdoYBJK1m/w640-h360/tumblr_inline_oh8v0cuK1B1szxbvs_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">One of the first scenes of <i>The Evil Within</i>
includes a gramophone which plays Bach's "Air on a G String". Said
gramophone sits on the bench of a horrifying butcher who wanders around
his nightmarish "workshop", ready to slaughter and cut in pieces his
potential victims. As Sebastian, the protagonist, attempts to grab the
man's keys in order to escape, the melody becomes louder, and
accompanies him as he stealthily makes his way to the exit door, only to
stop abruptly as soon as he crosses a laser trap which alerts the
butcher who immediately stops whatever he had been doing and runs after
him. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-5Jo1zjvOInvpGIpj7l1VgsbCChTUNKOzIqcAtvVR5OsRLZlIqlwdif0LfF3B2IJHFf9h42oP1i_7WAshEYRFJbRzS9svvL-gi2qYE5vECDpjtpj-PYbaghG-FzLGZAWanivTzZm4coG/s1280/tumblr_inline_ornnyyVnx21szxbvs_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-5Jo1zjvOInvpGIpj7l1VgsbCChTUNKOzIqcAtvVR5OsRLZlIqlwdif0LfF3B2IJHFf9h42oP1i_7WAshEYRFJbRzS9svvL-gi2qYE5vECDpjtpj-PYbaghG-FzLGZAWanivTzZm4coG/w640-h360/tumblr_inline_ornnyyVnx21szxbvs_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Similar
gramophones can be found throughout the whole game, although the melody
that can be heard from most of them is Debussy's "Claire de Lune".
Strongly associated to the traumatized childhood of Ruvik, the game's
antagonist, this beautiful yet haunting melody dominates most places
that have somehow to do with Ruvik, both directly and indirectly.
Portals leading to the safe haven, rooms in visions that reveal portions
of his past, include gramophones in their space from which either of
the two melodies is heard, usually distorted and broken. A few times
they are just part of the decoration, sitting silently on a desk or a
side-table.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9EAF78w1cpnrXdE3EaxA_EX9zLTU3l2wCT0xsGxBbDLgHYvfVY8frikou3c4HpAhcTzy9WESBtHizzl-zzfi_77f56cI_DWQOYfX5GQlT9iuEj1JCULqYz5224Ow-RZtzhz5x0r6knHl/s1920/20170626013133_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9EAF78w1cpnrXdE3EaxA_EX9zLTU3l2wCT0xsGxBbDLgHYvfVY8frikou3c4HpAhcTzy9WESBtHizzl-zzfi_77f56cI_DWQOYfX5GQlT9iuEj1JCULqYz5224Ow-RZtzhz5x0r6knHl/w640-h360/20170626013133_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Gramophones also appear in Juli Kidman's episodes, where they also convey their messages via distorted tunes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAunVitMLgKjCoJDUxSGQvDo9uipZy9dHXzKR21kaZzK7old6m4i4lFHWyrLjvWbDcn1vZllDVQmuSWs4OfpA0ERMbSCXAuHrtvTeRTDb-RN_y5RQdHOK0l6djgNbIszbqR37gt7paINwD/s1920/20180825144920_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAunVitMLgKjCoJDUxSGQvDo9uipZy9dHXzKR21kaZzK7old6m4i4lFHWyrLjvWbDcn1vZllDVQmuSWs4OfpA0ERMbSCXAuHrtvTeRTDb-RN_y5RQdHOK0l6djgNbIszbqR37gt7paINwD/w640-h360/20180825144920_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Bach's
emblematic melody through a gramophone is also present in a crucial
moment in BioShock Infinite, as the hero, Booker DeWitt, begins to get
deeper into his adventure in Emporia, as he enters the building of the
Order of the Raven. Crow cries can be heard in the distance, as Booker
approaches the exit door leading to an isolated terrace, while "Air on a
G String" plays from an unidentifiable source. When Booker arrives at
the terrace, ha can see a golden gramophone on the left side, from which
Bach's melody plays. Moments later, a fierce type of enemy, the Crow,
makes his first appearance.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwK1ZkE71FYGKIzxTtIU1JrxQ9UxZg6Qi7ohc50q5sj27lcyWiemmnazfYvg0E4XByUAWSxCIAYy5zbmwXsUg6xoswJJ1YWjQgs7w8ldJ6rYj1hHlcx2GD4asUJVVgkJApmDPmrdGSdjW/s1920/20180712204340_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwK1ZkE71FYGKIzxTtIU1JrxQ9UxZg6Qi7ohc50q5sj27lcyWiemmnazfYvg0E4XByUAWSxCIAYy5zbmwXsUg6xoswJJ1YWjQgs7w8ldJ6rYj1hHlcx2GD4asUJVVgkJApmDPmrdGSdjW/w640-h360/20180712204340_1.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Gramophones
can be seen in several other places in the game, and they play various
melodies as soon as you turn them on. Sometimes this music is
contemporary, but recorded and heard in such a way as to sound like a
vintage tune.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjCjNkB36wotyCB5tOdKcRbgYJ39Af-vQs8vzUqBZrGaC6Scwgvq2uvj0naA7oB_yvh8VeQG5WK3jHUiNj_mtj9O5tiL-k6Olps_eI5wWN7ez2Libnz9XJuoXY5VpA6aEeA2a6iwA8aQ4/s1920/20191119003407_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjCjNkB36wotyCB5tOdKcRbgYJ39Af-vQs8vzUqBZrGaC6Scwgvq2uvj0naA7oB_yvh8VeQG5WK3jHUiNj_mtj9O5tiL-k6Olps_eI5wWN7ez2Libnz9XJuoXY5VpA6aEeA2a6iwA8aQ4/w640-h360/20191119003407_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Set in a total-white, cold-looking environment, the white gramophone that Adam Jensen comes across in Megan Reed's private room in Omega Ranch in<i> Deus Ex: Human Revolution</i>, is in an unexpected way comforting. The whole room and its furniture look like reliefs, and the gramophone is no exception. Its solid, white pavillion is decorated with flower-like designs that seem like they are carved on it. When you interact with it, it plays a tune that resembles a familiar piece from the first games of the series.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyAt5Ihkx-3f5GzGMz-50UIp7bnVkbn6JZ9J0BDvtG0aboYQfK3aozaf-djPNpyHU04S0FUmhJDA3SK9wJjoT6eSur7hpHyhwhqQ1tLfewTfcsokQHNQkLTu5MhjB75jhgIRV0lgLM5Ys/s1280/tumblr_inline_obz1485J6U1szxbvs_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyAt5Ihkx-3f5GzGMz-50UIp7bnVkbn6JZ9J0BDvtG0aboYQfK3aozaf-djPNpyHU04S0FUmhJDA3SK9wJjoT6eSur7hpHyhwhqQ1tLfewTfcsokQHNQkLTu5MhjB75jhgIRV0lgLM5Ys/w640-h360/tumblr_inline_obz1485J6U1szxbvs_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Like almost all vintage objects in video games, the gramophones echo the past in their special way, evoking a great variety of feelings, depending on their setting and their use. It is notable that, although technology constantly evolves, and environments in video games become more and more modern and futuristic, retro items like gramophones still appear in various rooms, serving their own purpose, both for nostalgia and greatly contributing to the overall feel and atmosphere of the stories that they are part of.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /><br /></div><p></p><br /><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <br /><p></p><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-72854370656517856592021-01-31T04:10:00.003-08:002021-02-03T15:28:29.598-08:00Elements of the Archetypical Fairy Tale in Resident Evil 7<div><div><div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInKx2O_L7JY5-Z1awVlVMJYHTd6cjhJqhOHoiyzlT_IQuqHw9cYoYSyBF8YBcQn8lAuz_J5nY65tuzPTgrWz_vf0AIOoH_E-FQKJ0dJw4jWN7ST-ds8ZQVI1UQQlRpaAwJHMb82h3u8mB/s1920/20180319233127_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInKx2O_L7JY5-Z1awVlVMJYHTd6cjhJqhOHoiyzlT_IQuqHw9cYoYSyBF8YBcQn8lAuz_J5nY65tuzPTgrWz_vf0AIOoH_E-FQKJ0dJw4jWN7ST-ds8ZQVI1UQQlRpaAwJHMb82h3u8mB/w640-h360/20180319233127_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have mentioned previously in this blog that video games are like fairy tales of the new era; a good amount of them follow the structure of classic fairy tales, but in some this is extremely dominant, resulting in being an essential part of their plot, their mood and the development of their characters. BioShock Infinite is a very characteristic case, which I analyzed in a previous article, and Resident Evil 7 shares a similar trait: it is built around the logic of an archetypical fairy tale, including in its plot several such elements as crucial axes. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Fairy tales in general, and specifically those that are or based on folk material, no matter where they originate from, have a few standards as far as both their plots and their characters are concerned: there are some good characters, some villains who usually chase and wish to kill the good characters, there is someone (most of the times, but not always, a girl) who is locked in some sort of prison, sometimes there is a cruel giant, a witch, an evil stepmother with an equally evil daughter, other times there is a knight or prince who arrives at just the right moment to kill the villains and free the imprisoned girl. A mysterious house is a place of interest in several tales, together with its strange residents - whether those are humans, animals or creatures that belong to another world, doesn't really matter although it may make a difference as far as the development of the plot is concerned.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">What usually dominates is an evil force; one which may have numerous manifestations in a tale: the aforementioned evil antagonists are such a case, also a supernatural and very powerful entity can represent it, while sometimes all the aspects of evil can co-exist in the same story. In Resident Evil 7, the spirit of evil that dominates Ethan's story, is Eveline, the bioweapon that takes human forms, first appearing as a lost little girl, then transforming into an old, seemingly harmless invalid woman who seems to be everywhere in the Baker family home where the story unfolds. Eveline, who slyly invaded the house a while back, infected the members of the family, turning them into monstrous, cannibalistic creatures with absolutely no sense of humanity inside and about them, making them carriers of evil.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BwtzG2w9v9cwPnT5yroaLv08AaL0PkVTZ6KcOuzfNqx-bwbTKcTkMHwQ5KIsFiXXE_hS3UcPbEIuCFMvhDhft7yXgU6sQT2wvSHwyqdTof9tXLXuBbboTofGSA-OWw-NHKzU-lSFmzw_/s1920/20170328161125_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BwtzG2w9v9cwPnT5yroaLv08AaL0PkVTZ6KcOuzfNqx-bwbTKcTkMHwQ5KIsFiXXE_hS3UcPbEIuCFMvhDhft7yXgU6sQT2wvSHwyqdTof9tXLXuBbboTofGSA-OWw-NHKzU-lSFmzw_/w640-h360/20170328161125_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Snow White and the Sleeping Beauty were metaphorically imprisoned, as they were doomed to remain asleep for a long time. Rapunzel was literally imprisoned, high up in a huge tower. In Resident Evil 7, the role of the imprisoned princess initially belongs to Mia, whom Ethan finds literally asleep in the dark and gloomy dungeons of the Baker property grounds, among suspicious-looking stuffed bags and weird tools. During the same time, Ethan has the role of the liberator prince or knight; instead of on a white horse, he arrives in a fancy car,
and he does not find a castle or tower but a grim guest house. The
rescue process goes anything but well, as Mia, possessed by Eveline, unexpectedly abandons the role of the victim/princess and takes that of the bad witch, attacking Ethan viciously and subsequently attempting to kill
him. Eventually Ethan stops being her rescuer, and is forced to attack her so as to save his life. At the end of a frustrating battle between them in the attic of the guest house, Jack Baker arrives and
drags an unconscious Ethan in his actual "castle": the family's house, where Ethan comes face
to face with its inhabitants: Jack, Marguerite and Lucas. He also indirectly meets the family's daughter, Zoe, infected as well but much less than the others and is able to control herself, who promises to help him escape.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Jack is the fairy tale's giant - a terrifying and merciless cannibal who is constantly hungry for human flesh. When he walks around the house looking for Ethan, he is a reminiscent of the giant who returns home and senses that there is a human hiding somewhere because he can tell of their scent. Later on after he mutates, he becomes a literal giant, a huge, monstrous creature that is uncontrollable in its appetite and attacks.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilu7U2-uvGXuC_ZbfGeigB4xQrCSbvexoN3xrx8ikdvXEr2HDanO5SZKc0zOJQIKsKyUq-xwpl5acCnFouHOY8oubF_O9IumxXWeBRf6hSnY2wB9vGWUS3zre_I7iBu5Xctwon15nH9ns9/s1280/re7+2021-01-03+12-50-12-774.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilu7U2-uvGXuC_ZbfGeigB4xQrCSbvexoN3xrx8ikdvXEr2HDanO5SZKc0zOJQIKsKyUq-xwpl5acCnFouHOY8oubF_O9IumxXWeBRf6hSnY2wB9vGWUS3zre_I7iBu5Xctwon15nH9ns9/w640-h360/re7+2021-01-03+12-50-12-774.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The
dragon Jack establishes his position in the main house, while
Marguerite guards the old house and Lucas locks himself up in what used
to be the barn and storage area. The main house is filled with traps,
monsters and intimidating doors decorated with dead animals, and to be able to escape from there, Ethan has to find three key items that unlock the exit and fight against Jack in the basement and temporarily
defeat him. Then, following Zoe's plan, he goes to the old house where
he has to evade Marguerite's tricks and eventually confront her in the
greenhouse. Marguerite, whose mutation involves giving birth to giant
flies and swarms of spiders, gradually identifies herself with her
insects, growing extremely long arms and legs, additionally developing
her cannibalistic habits even more, which is also an attribute of a
specific genre of fly. Her attacks are vicious, and she grows a particularly wild appetite for Ethan's family jewels. Of course this is not random; as she gradually strips off her human
nature, the primordial instincts come forward; but her cannibalistic
tendency messes with her lustful appetite and she wants to devour Ethan
for real. At this point, she borrows the trait of her husband and
expresses a hunger for human flesh, therefore taking herself the role of
the giant since he is temporarily out of the picture.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7utAYB3D9C6XmPTeUyWoxVCTVpmm47VjIIMM7ZDYrstWCkHrwnqm0H-IRgny2kUWXCx_-Bs96IhWvteJyd8qXDZBW7snhtvn8aAeYZEXwRKZT8W1ATZKIMzTs-f7VUQIk6YFnjKmaDujd/s1275/m1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1275" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7utAYB3D9C6XmPTeUyWoxVCTVpmm47VjIIMM7ZDYrstWCkHrwnqm0H-IRgny2kUWXCx_-Bs96IhWvteJyd8qXDZBW7snhtvn8aAeYZEXwRKZT8W1ATZKIMzTs-f7VUQIk6YFnjKmaDujd/w640-h362/m1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The role of Lucas Baker in this dark fairy tale is a complex and twisted one. Although Ethan does not belong to the dragon Jack's family, he and Lucas seem to be two sides of the same coin. In several fairy tales, there is a beautiful and kind maiden, unlucky enough to be the stepdaughter of an evil witch who also has a daughter of her own, a girl who is ugly and wicked like her mother. This girl is generally aware of her unpleasant physical appearance, but prefers to turn a blind eye to this fact and instead play along her mother's various devices that aim at making her believe that she is pretty. At some point, the beautiful girl sits on a tall tree with a well below it, and the ugly girl goes to the well to get water; she sees the reflection of the pretty girl and thinks that it is her own. When the revelation comes, the ugly, evil girl hates the pretty, kind girl even more, and does everything to humiliate and/or exterminate her. </p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">With Lucas taking the part of the ugly, evil child, Ethan becomes his counterpart - the male version of the kind, beautiful maiden. Although we can never see Ethan's face, we can assume that he is good-looking; a fair-haired young man with white skin, obviously coming from a rather well off urban environment, whose life was undoubtedly happy until he got involved in this nightmare. Lucas does have a natural sister, Zoe, but her role in this fairy tale is that of the companion and helper of the hero: she is the one who guides him via phone calls and offers him valuable assistance during his quests. From the moment when Zoe escaped the Baker family home, distancing herself from her disturbing family, she became an outsider; and she is literally one, since she is never seen actually getting inside the house, unlike Ethan who wanders around getting to know every single room and secret passage in there. Zoe, with her medical knowledge, is also the positive counterpart of her mother - Marguerite is the evil witch while Zoe is the good witch who performs "magic" for a good cause and creates "spells" that are able to rid of "curses": she uses two objects with magical significance - a head and an arm - to create the serum which will be used to free herself and Mia from the virus with which they have been infected.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4KjTN9pX8ni1SioSZyZbPwWIavwtkH9z9YQ9xJg-B4eSO7ODO0aCrSPiQck-fp-NIGVbIts7iybzen-T_SD5Ul3gC2FEkJWhgcaM2652FmqNuWTCjsBh2H_R9lP2827xpgnouizslpb7/s1920/20170331214552_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4KjTN9pX8ni1SioSZyZbPwWIavwtkH9z9YQ9xJg-B4eSO7ODO0aCrSPiQck-fp-NIGVbIts7iybzen-T_SD5Ul3gC2FEkJWhgcaM2652FmqNuWTCjsBh2H_R9lP2827xpgnouizslpb7/w640-h360/20170331214552_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lucas, unlike his parents, never transforms into a monster in the main game; Ethan has to deal with his human form only, but this does not correspond to a typical boss fight. The son of the Baker family is playing hide and seek in the chaotic and mazey storage area, where he has set up all sorts of twisted and lethal traps in order to torture and eventually kill his victims. Ethan is forced to fight several monsters and go weaponless through a stressing trial before he is able to take back one of the valuable ingredients for the serum, which Lucas has stolen. So just like in the fairy tales, the evil character is constantly trying to prevent the good protagonist to reach his goal, which now is to save both his wife and Zoe whom Lucas abducted in the meantime. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">At this point, Ethan still carries the role of the liberator/knight, but it won't be long until this condition is reversed, because after he leaves the Baker property with either Mia or Zoe, the fairy tale takes an unexpected turn: Ethan becomes the male counterpart of the imprisoned princess, and Mia
acts the part of the knight who battles all sorts of evil forces in
order to save him. Eveline traps Ethan in a cocoon in the wrecked ship in
an attempt to keep manipulating Mia; but Mia, who still has her free
will, manages to liberate her husband and nearly sacrifices herself in
order to make sure he will be safe.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Puzzles and trials many times form the core of fairy tales, and this is
one more element that makes video games relate to them so strongly.
Ethan's story is full of both, and most of them are dangerous and
cunning. The main house itself is one big puzzle, as nearly all of its
passages are locked and Ethan has to look for keys to open the
intimidating doors that block them. There are items hidden in bathtubs,
grandfather clocks, books, corpses even. The basement of the house is yet one
more puzzle, accessed through more than one entrances, that has been
transformed into a huge slaughterhouse.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AeU6LhKTljROcCDDoNDx3AV8nSqR7TjzXbe2MV-fNO3GmKxsLES4AGR1im8TcZam_1Sdv1TN00XyJ1X1Pe0TtzS0Gt0If3UimDl8MMXLdkumieCG2gPYCVf3fw9cgU6tz92GNLjz1P3u/s1280/20170414220806_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AeU6LhKTljROcCDDoNDx3AV8nSqR7TjzXbe2MV-fNO3GmKxsLES4AGR1im8TcZam_1Sdv1TN00XyJ1X1Pe0TtzS0Gt0If3UimDl8MMXLdkumieCG2gPYCVf3fw9cgU6tz92GNLjz1P3u/w640-h360/20170414220806_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Although the main house of the Bakers is the dominant environment, it is in fact the old house that is the most compelling and iconic stage of action. Broken wooden floors, hidden crawlspaces, melted candles, torn wallpapers, swarms of bugs and flies that either fly around or hang on nests, a secret altar with items that echo the voodoo ceremonies of the rural Louisiana, where the story takes place, bridges decorated with dolls and doll heads, an abandoned greenhouse with wild vegetation, narrow passages filled with crawlers, vintage objects that are used as pieces of puzzles, like a wooden crank or an oil lamp, are only some of the elements that describe the chilling atmosphere of the old house, which is Marguerite's domain. If the main house was a death trap, the old house is like a witch's lair, where any intruder is unwelcome.<br /></div><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJgkdR4k302Z5xkZzzOSzItvt4MHtG6yqZVDLBfK0fkxJmxuS7Zne0HI0VHOyp4C5LRZ385nBUD1raS1r50dVaX-5IJbaUCILkkv35PuQEJtjhUAWq7lv0htBngdjFVm2vrMQS8oLxoEZ/s1280/re7+2020-12-31+19-49-37-947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJgkdR4k302Z5xkZzzOSzItvt4MHtG6yqZVDLBfK0fkxJmxuS7Zne0HI0VHOyp4C5LRZ385nBUD1raS1r50dVaX-5IJbaUCILkkv35PuQEJtjhUAWq7lv0htBngdjFVm2vrMQS8oLxoEZ/w640-h360/re7+2020-12-31+19-49-37-947.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The old house is partly the fairy tale's maze; although not a literal labyrinth, its setting is equally confusing due to the many doors, locked passages and similar-looking rooms. Ethan has to cross its hostile grounds several times, while being hunted by Marguerite and her bugs, as he is looking for a series of items that will lead him to one of the ingredients that Zoe has requested. Prior to getting inside the old house, however, Ethan has the chance to watch a revealing video cassette which shows Mia wandering around the place while Marguerite is looking for her. This creepy footage offers some hints as to where he should go and what he could look for in order to solve the many puzzles of the old house. Marguerite appears eventually, unleashing her bugs to make him go away from her realm and blocking his path on several occasions. Ethan has to find ways to outsmart her in order to complete his exploration, but it is not until he faces her mutated form and kills her that he is able to find the ingredient for the serum.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The less fairy tale-looking environment is the wrecked ship, a stage that somehow switches the story back to reality with its grim grey/blue colors that contrast the faded sepia/yellow tones of the Baker family property sceneries. It is interesting that after Mia's part is complete on the ship and we return to the Baker house with Ethan again, the colors of those areas are not sepia/yellow anymore; their tone resembles more that of the ship; and additionally, the whole look in the guest house, which was the very first area that Ethan explored when he arrived, is now like it belongs to a hallucination. The atmosphere is dense and thick, Ethan has disturbing visions on his way, and eventually he finds himself back up in the attic where it all began - where he had that very first battle with the possessed Mia. Now it is Eveline waiting for him there, taking her human forms before she reveals the literal monster that she really is: a huge mutant that has taken over the guest house and whatever is around it, a creature of unidentified identity that reeks of poison, destruction and death, the personification of Evil in its most extreme form. Like in fairy tales, Evil is defeated in the end and Good prevails, but as we know Evil never actually dies for good, always finding ways to resurrect itself from its ashes.<br /></p></div>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-49915139892717647802020-12-16T05:26:00.002-08:002020-12-16T05:27:51.008-08:00Vintage Elements in Video Games: The Carousel<p style="text-align: justify;">Pretty much like the banker's lamps, the carousels are among those elements that appear regularly in video games, either as part of the environment or as something functional that may also have some kind of "role" in the scene where it is seen. The carousel, both as an object and a concept, has something about it that is heart-warming and nostalgic, but also mysterious and spooky. Its continuous circular movement, in combination with the joyful colors and the complex design, especially when its decoration features vintage pictures that depict landscapes or portraits, give out a magical fairytale-like feel. But it is exactly these elements that can turn it into an eerie spectacle, most of the times in direct connection with the environment where it is set, the game's scenario and the sequence in which it takes part.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In <i>The Evil Within</i>, there are two unforgettable sequences that involve carousels. The first one is in Chapter 10, <i>The Craftsman's Tools</i>, where a giant carousel in the middle of a dark room full of traps, becomes a lethal construction since it has a huge blade attached to its center, which blade moves unstoppably along with it, as soon as it is set in motion. This carousel features a faded and partly damaged vintage roof, and instead of horses, it has cages with mannequins locked inside them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00pZHMyAOmHP_yUfe3oo3HE75TxvmlAYcgF9GT_7-aMlhwaLq77R5nxr1snZjpSGTMFjdmPXJRTb5ZLxGX9KQos3dWEbTsQOLE8y5yTx3XZ6gR5dy3XUAmgmcxdNRf7SaSN18U0RulmEp/s1920/20201125021444_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00pZHMyAOmHP_yUfe3oo3HE75TxvmlAYcgF9GT_7-aMlhwaLq77R5nxr1snZjpSGTMFjdmPXJRTb5ZLxGX9KQos3dWEbTsQOLE8y5yTx3XZ6gR5dy3XUAmgmcxdNRf7SaSN18U0RulmEp/w640-h360/20201125021444_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">A bit later, in Chapter 11, <i>Reunion</i>, Sebastian exits out to the city which is all completely ruined, with rubble and random objects lying here and there along the cut streets, and the only thing that seems to be "alive" is a colorful carousel that is doing its circular movement with all its lamps lit, although its base is flooded.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-kXsi39MnjgEHzOqDM86Q_yJd4-3luWCzDH0FRrHVgNXxydahyDjFhZumItKKxra8S074aBkIsH7OpJdrgkEblKZjHuWK8y2HkVSTCT3uG2mQfq03b-or_NWFEuFrq_iSYzuyRT10MYH/s1600/20170627111033_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-kXsi39MnjgEHzOqDM86Q_yJd4-3luWCzDH0FRrHVgNXxydahyDjFhZumItKKxra8S074aBkIsH7OpJdrgkEblKZjHuWK8y2HkVSTCT3uG2mQfq03b-or_NWFEuFrq_iSYzuyRT10MYH/w640-h360/20170627111033_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Both carousel sequences are accompanied by a beautiful, melancholic tune that sounds like it's coming out of an old music box, and they are both connected to Ruvik's ruined childhood and his twisted mind.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In <i>Resident Evil: Code Veronica</i>, a still carousel decorates the middle of a well-hidden room in the Ashford mansion. Alfred's secret "palace" is full of toys and dolls - others in a good state and others broken and dirty - and it is as if the carousel that leads to the attic shelters the disturbed childhood of Alfred's past self, since the room where it is set and the one where it leads hide important items associated to his memories.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HUVoUXO3b7GPTtZnrjMRwZG1CPYMmp5q6eCB6MqFe-nmXgq-lkyIwP1O-hT5-4bFKXSS17klQ0W-3d9Iu1eBWk_qlAE2ql2R3EB2U7w3hAmRRWBwJx1HnGIwXMtoQXcqTRWHpd7ikB8_/s1358/Dolphin+2015-02-20+23-22-28-082.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="1358" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HUVoUXO3b7GPTtZnrjMRwZG1CPYMmp5q6eCB6MqFe-nmXgq-lkyIwP1O-hT5-4bFKXSS17klQ0W-3d9Iu1eBWk_qlAE2ql2R3EB2U7w3hAmRRWBwJx1HnGIwXMtoQXcqTRWHpd7ikB8_/w640-h484/Dolphin+2015-02-20+23-22-28-082.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Later on, playing with Chris, we arrive at a secluded area of the Antarctica base where there is also a replica of the Spencer Mansion. Just outside, there is a smaller carousel which looks more like a huge toy.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGn-Bl4U9jv8boFy4QyTKRtkKcC9Gj9TX1IdGNoOK4_OwRrQSqN7hNTHNqQLdmfKxSyNTVZyIh2MgfNHhOhQ2AiQN2fcoNko_bcX2IjrAZ65phs_RwzpjQFHt1g5gfGpivSpGS5E5FI-3L/s1368/pcsx2-r4600+2016-10-14+21-55-33-430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="1368" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGn-Bl4U9jv8boFy4QyTKRtkKcC9Gj9TX1IdGNoOK4_OwRrQSqN7hNTHNqQLdmfKxSyNTVZyIh2MgfNHhOhQ2AiQN2fcoNko_bcX2IjrAZ65phs_RwzpjQFHt1g5gfGpivSpGS5E5FI-3L/w640-h480/pcsx2-r4600+2016-10-14+21-55-33-430.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In<i> Game of Oblivion</i> from <i>Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles</i>, the Ashford palace carousel becomes the ground of a brief battle where Claire and Steve have to face Alfred disguised as Alexia. The carousel is in motion in this sequence, along with its faint tune, and Alfred uses it as a cover as it moves while attempting to defeat his potential victims.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhad5v8qhaGFT85rblYELUBVxLhbH5BEcSND__RAUubR54exsNhY7P8YILBlI2Hk2rUDXN02gFRgduHne4dL7KSj3k3IoKdaoRWmevEfNQZjkVa9ZXRSEt6GL7fKbKXD26IEmk7DTJQAeN6/s1600/Dolphin+2016-10-13+02-50-16-952.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1600" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhad5v8qhaGFT85rblYELUBVxLhbH5BEcSND__RAUubR54exsNhY7P8YILBlI2Hk2rUDXN02gFRgduHne4dL7KSj3k3IoKdaoRWmevEfNQZjkVa9ZXRSEt6GL7fKbKXD26IEmk7DTJQAeN6/w640-h350/Dolphin+2016-10-13+02-50-16-952.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Another memorable carousel can be seen in the stage <i>Soldiers Field</i> in <i>BioShock Infinite</i>. It does not play a part in the action or the story, but its imposing presence at the far side of the area catches the eye from the start, and its movement is also accompanied by a vintage tune.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3O2ZpiLe6mKI-3eLuvYuncDqb5UXRhfUUo3VH2mNK_nl1Nfrz3riKfMj97PX4lwiiT1RTRSZFmsojGGAp-sLZQBSE05HGYZhFCWaslZxCj2eUNoPbFyWZLboZeJ05VARC4pfBE2VXRpO2/s1600/20180626193907_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3O2ZpiLe6mKI-3eLuvYuncDqb5UXRhfUUo3VH2mNK_nl1Nfrz3riKfMj97PX4lwiiT1RTRSZFmsojGGAp-sLZQBSE05HGYZhFCWaslZxCj2eUNoPbFyWZLboZeJ05VARC4pfBE2VXRpO2/w640-h360/20180626193907_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Two particularly creepy carousels appear in the <i>Looney Park</i> stage from <i>Painkiller: Battle Out Of Hell</i>. Not only is the appearance of the carousels absolutely ominous with their bright colours illuminating the darkness, but the insane battles that take place there transform them into hellish grounds in an instant.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxgSp3x0JcQP4vKxW1hd_1CUucwITmvIb6oUVK9EqVaYTHoNXl4wrXBy8aV_W33jYqFHe5lTWmu8A4I_vYl19usxytIAtTVBSkgovruxmplQm_JKtDPIQfrFv7YeVc5fmZ-fP_01ko6wQ/s1600/Painkiller+2016-10-27+15-14-57-391.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxgSp3x0JcQP4vKxW1hd_1CUucwITmvIb6oUVK9EqVaYTHoNXl4wrXBy8aV_W33jYqFHe5lTWmu8A4I_vYl19usxytIAtTVBSkgovruxmplQm_JKtDPIQfrFv7YeVc5fmZ-fP_01ko6wQ/w640-h360/Painkiller+2016-10-27+15-14-57-391.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iupvZl0MG4TBdlCK2XabEdQ8UCR0YCyEicsxMtyhm9JWCYziBV3amSLTBdoztPhPTt8tvCvswnslzdcjeO53SCGlZyF2x9pLnzbSFktsdXkCQsyXXNp8TGg8HK_DRJGg1GKzY73jJl5p/s1600/Painkiller+2016-10-27+15-15-34-603.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iupvZl0MG4TBdlCK2XabEdQ8UCR0YCyEicsxMtyhm9JWCYziBV3amSLTBdoztPhPTt8tvCvswnslzdcjeO53SCGlZyF2x9pLnzbSFktsdXkCQsyXXNp8TGg8HK_DRJGg1GKzY73jJl5p/w640-h360/Painkiller+2016-10-27+15-15-34-603.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Similarly, the red and golden carousel in the mission <i>Found </i>from <i>DmC: Devil May Cry</i> is anything but soothing and pleasant to look at, not to mention the numerous demons that show up when you get close to it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVu35jx36G3OyySd1PKefwcf9V8-Oi8HGk46QzzwgUvRN2LtpcAiYX5Ym1COm8harFsJOuCpETK7kCBnFp0_qF2OKAcPeAUtmZJXI2vqrGcMbbaHxnuvJxXAsTCowno1VCzXsG39mbNEP_/s1280/dmc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVu35jx36G3OyySd1PKefwcf9V8-Oi8HGk46QzzwgUvRN2LtpcAiYX5Ym1COm8harFsJOuCpETK7kCBnFp0_qF2OKAcPeAUtmZJXI2vqrGcMbbaHxnuvJxXAsTCowno1VCzXsG39mbNEP_/w640-h360/dmc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>In the classic game Sanitarium, an old-school carousel appears in Chapter 4, <i>The Circus of Fools</i>. Just like the name of the stage implies, the carousel looks and feels like it comes out of a horror movie.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuZSEaMXsPFKOkO0UVdZTJdRrZTRjjAYi5PXEgHLHaF9_-T5tMuo9pmjKxp2uSzmhLjrqeVlKHc2WLlt7nLiXF1u48lsLgalBYOynRgKlIQsmNgsmyPopMagkBLQ6mxEK-Fo0s_v28bys/s640/Sntrm+2016-10-26+23-53-04-04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuZSEaMXsPFKOkO0UVdZTJdRrZTRjjAYi5PXEgHLHaF9_-T5tMuo9pmjKxp2uSzmhLjrqeVlKHc2WLlt7nLiXF1u48lsLgalBYOynRgKlIQsmNgsmyPopMagkBLQ6mxEK-Fo0s_v28bys/w640-h480/Sntrm+2016-10-26+23-53-04-04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>A bright-colored carousel appears in the garden of an abandoned mansion in <i>Frankenstein: Master of Death</i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOWu0FEF3e7tos4x_jrKD4oaVY6NijB8LYoNvOIA7QTHzCG9iNuQRVsj13eSOmGcGR97M5lAiZ2EYCDcXouJRLQUc58q-flVpAEsshYpceiugGkQqKB7Ph9yZv2c7MFI8F4wD-WLNjf3r/s1600/347430_screenshots_20190123014532_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOWu0FEF3e7tos4x_jrKD4oaVY6NijB8LYoNvOIA7QTHzCG9iNuQRVsj13eSOmGcGR97M5lAiZ2EYCDcXouJRLQUc58q-flVpAEsshYpceiugGkQqKB7Ph9yZv2c7MFI8F4wD-WLNjf3r/w640-h360/347430_screenshots_20190123014532_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>In <i>Riddles of the Past</i>, we can see a carousel in a deserted amusement park, with its colors faded and everything around it destroyed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaDTc-tJfjPsLYLvOJQcr4EhZIOndUy8XOkFpEwZe6BeIwE7MtE4pcg8vS8l4fZbdHhif_7Ddb5iRs5ouJhC9HyR6AxawDjDxLRgZZa9PzL2u2-1Yv_Q2EcZNeIcekFE0vx1y70BaA_pj/s1600/500870_screenshots_20181030160653_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaDTc-tJfjPsLYLvOJQcr4EhZIOndUy8XOkFpEwZe6BeIwE7MtE4pcg8vS8l4fZbdHhif_7Ddb5iRs5ouJhC9HyR6AxawDjDxLRgZZa9PzL2u2-1Yv_Q2EcZNeIcekFE0vx1y70BaA_pj/w640-h360/500870_screenshots_20181030160653_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>When the story concludes and everything is settled, the amusement park is alive again, and the carousel appears restored, with bright colors and people having a good time around it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievmfJ-jTkHnIkdxL6pfZeXO651vDV8mjNiVsoVl_sbR41RM1UQ8hjJNQLyyQOIY1iA0wt7lyDXEQgmv9WJ4238YgjhqZiCuhOu8tzTQ9vAvc9NV0C1vocjP9_eVvl92JUignegPU312HU/s1600/500870_screenshots_20181030172137_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievmfJ-jTkHnIkdxL6pfZeXO651vDV8mjNiVsoVl_sbR41RM1UQ8hjJNQLyyQOIY1iA0wt7lyDXEQgmv9WJ4238YgjhqZiCuhOu8tzTQ9vAvc9NV0C1vocjP9_eVvl92JUignegPU312HU/w640-h360/500870_screenshots_20181030172137_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">A most famous carousel is that which appears in the Silent Hill games. It is the Happy Carousel in Lakeside Amusement Park.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_Z-1S4eUMJoxpybpsooz0uSlyIdlNtNQo_a-81v-Gk3gK_JoigS7CIxSqkglQPWrP2m1V_mu5IIIKUzGD5Phjmi3Tr7ZFftsmaOU_hk7ECZGQyuEtB3fIOIIdnqjWMh0alJr2NVLyPwu/s640/Carousel.PNG.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_Z-1S4eUMJoxpybpsooz0uSlyIdlNtNQo_a-81v-Gk3gK_JoigS7CIxSqkglQPWrP2m1V_mu5IIIKUzGD5Phjmi3Tr7ZFftsmaOU_hk7ECZGQyuEtB3fIOIIdnqjWMh0alJr2NVLyPwu/w640-h480/Carousel.PNG.webp" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">A carousel in full motion appears in Chapter 4 of <i>The Last of Us: Left Behind</i>. Ellie and Riley can ride it for a bit as a bonus.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTMgfu8zpdWzfoLPj086c7ahAR8ZHGhSgOFFVWABAEsWt6JvTBguI5a2OHEtginV3pbXNXWQGFsy7O-1TZ5xZv2_tf-xcGfinlyEu_XwJCLlLltwJbr7DrNTnlLotC21Da-uOXUCjEIXS/s1920/The-Last-of-Us-Remastered-USG-Screenshot9-06182020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTMgfu8zpdWzfoLPj086c7ahAR8ZHGhSgOFFVWABAEsWt6JvTBguI5a2OHEtginV3pbXNXWQGFsy7O-1TZ5xZv2_tf-xcGfinlyEu_XwJCLlLltwJbr7DrNTnlLotC21Da-uOXUCjEIXS/w640-h360/The-Last-of-Us-Remastered-USG-Screenshot9-06182020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">While carousels can be seen in all genres of video games, their most interesting appearances are in those games that are focused in action and survival, as it is in such cases that the contrast that is created between their bright, usually playful, view and the tension of gameplay, becomes more prominent. But they are always notable elements wherever they appear, as well as points of interest and reference.<br /><i> </i></p><p><i>All screenshot by me, except:<br />Sanitarium, Frankenstein: Master of Death, Riddles of the Past: afterdarkmysweet<br />Silent Hill: AlexSheperd (Silent Hill Wiki)<br />The Last of Us: usgamer.com</i><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-67984298136379763912020-11-06T02:16:00.008-08:002022-08-26T04:02:35.757-07:00Choices Matter For Your Love Life Vs Your Morality In Assassin's Creed: Odyssey<div><div><p style="text-align: justify;">In my review of <i>Assassin's Creed: Odyssey</i>, I mentioned how certain choices that you make affect the development of your protagonist's character in more than one ways. In this article, I will elaborate a bit more on this matter, focusing on how their decisions affect the outcome of their love life in connection to their morality, as I think it is a very interesting subject. When characters are shown to have emotions and, subsequently, a
romantic side, they are more realistic and thus become more human. When faced with related dilemmas, they can follow the path of either Vice or Virtue; and since the main hero of this game comes from Ancient Greece, any association with said myth of Heracles couldn't be more fitting. In this article, I will not analyze all the romances or their outcomes (there are that many choices you can make in each case); I will focus on certain stories which are the most interesting and stand out among the rest, when it comes to love versus morality. For the purpose of the article, I will use only my own choices as examples, and I will have Alexios as my hero, as I mostly play the game with him. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzM9Uyf_YSOyQdBjGG521TqDgp8LdAK4bRwkDy2M-OsMjrtRvK2X5Q5EwezH5d_qyxseM0YBcceaZPR4Vq6dD2I6tT5ToEIk4eMQe5_pZxJPsTqxiLWrvKKjeT4f-bqw490osIxrAcQ0Jb/s1280/vlcsnap-2020-09-18-19h32m19s008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzM9Uyf_YSOyQdBjGG521TqDgp8LdAK4bRwkDy2M-OsMjrtRvK2X5Q5EwezH5d_qyxseM0YBcceaZPR4Vq6dD2I6tT5ToEIk4eMQe5_pZxJPsTqxiLWrvKKjeT4f-bqw490osIxrAcQ0Jb/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2020-09-18-19h32m19s008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">On the island of Hydrea, Alexios meets a young woman, Roxana, who comes from a family of warriors and is in the process of tough training as preparation for a savage battle called "The Battle of One Hundred Hands" that will take place soon on the neighboring island of Melos. Accepting to spar with her and deciding to participate in the upcoming battle yourself, marks the beginning of the questline which starts with the quest <i>Sparring With Roxana</i>. Almost from the start, the game tries to trick you towards flirting Roxana, although your initial choices will not make much difference really. Your crucial choice is right before the battle quest begins, when you will have to decide between fully romancing her or keeping your distance. At that point, you already know that you and Roxana will unavoidably be rivals in the battle, the purpose of which is to bring forth only one winner, with all the other participants being gradually eliminated. This practically means that, in the end, you and Roxana will be called to fight against each other in a duel where only one will survive.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ac3346fQPm88quD1nFEafYKx3VhzMXGOSdhqkiThU6QbAAM9cTHtO1PlQvcJnVBLjUOwAlpiKuqWZfHC44QlnwRICXDHi0XyIFrxgRt4AWPwrozLppGQLo63cizoWY7WCO7_ScN9_BGH/s1280/vlcsnap-2020-11-06-02h40m23s589.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ac3346fQPm88quD1nFEafYKx3VhzMXGOSdhqkiThU6QbAAM9cTHtO1PlQvcJnVBLjUOwAlpiKuqWZfHC44QlnwRICXDHi0XyIFrxgRt4AWPwrozLppGQLo63cizoWY7WCO7_ScN9_BGH/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2020-11-06-02h40m23s589.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The only way to save Roxana at that point and open up the possibility to avoid the fatal duel is to romance her before the battle. If you do that, when the time comes for her and Alexios to fight, Alexios will be able to persuade her to cancel the duel and then he can ask her to join his crew (she is a legendary lieutenant, by the way), a proposition that she will gladly accept. In similar cases involving other people, you can choose between several options in various combinations: flirt the other person, part with them peacefully, recruit them, attack them; but in Roxana's case, you only have two: recruit her or kill her. There is no way to simply part with her in friendly terms and let her go; you either have to take her with you or murder her. So if you did romance her earlier, which will make way for her accepting to cancel the duel, the only way to spare her during the duel sequence is to recruit her as a crew member. Following this path, Roxana becomes one of your available lieutenants, and you forget about her as you go on with your journey, until you get involved in another quest, much later.<br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Said quest waits for you on the island of Lemnos: Neleus, a promising athlete who also happens to be the nephew of your dear friend Barnabas, seems to be in serious trouble and you are called to offer a helping hand, foremost for your buddy's sake. Starting with the quest<i> Tough Love</i>, the story involves several people and is one of the most complex and interesting questlines of the game. Upon arriving at the house where Neleus is, Alexios meets Mikkos, who is the boy's caretaker and your very spicy romance option for that questline. Mikkos is a few years older than Alexios, and doesn't hesitate to make bold advances even during your first meeting with him. As the story unfolds, you have the chance to fully romance Mikkos at a party, and in the finale, assuming you did everything to get a happy ending for Barnabas's nephew, you will be able to have one more romantic encounter with Mikkos in the sunset, before saying a goodbye that, since you never cease to be a traveler, may not be definitive. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gLWB3mhdUvYpf3WBjYs_GyjOkcNJLmgq9sheAfwPrANyy5ym9P0ZhUP1HO3A2gPBtDK60EgTUCP18Pr-4i3lcsz4z7_7A2o-5FrxfPnPds-avCatN8Ppu1yyWaZHBemEgXPYQgIsenD_/s1280/vlcsnap-2020-10-12-23h40m17s135.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gLWB3mhdUvYpf3WBjYs_GyjOkcNJLmgq9sheAfwPrANyy5ym9P0ZhUP1HO3A2gPBtDK60EgTUCP18Pr-4i3lcsz4z7_7A2o-5FrxfPnPds-avCatN8Ppu1yyWaZHBemEgXPYQgIsenD_/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2020-10-12-23h40m17s135.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">During your first runs of the game, you can complete the Hydrea & Melos questlines fairly early, as their level is relatively low; but you are recommended to travel to Lemnos only when you are strong enough to survive the demanding quests there. This means that, upon arriving on Lemnos, you may have already done Roxana's quests, and if you romanced her and spared her, she will be with your crew. If this is the case, when the questline on Lemnos reaches its conclusion, Roxana will arrive with Barnabas to greet you. After everything is settled, she will literally send Mikkos away to stay with Alexios herself, claiming her antagonist's place in the sunset scene. This unexpected twist has one extremely disappointing downside: the game takes for granted that you prefer Roxana over Mikkos, as you are not given the chance to choose between the two of them at that point. Mikkos gets too intimidated by Roxana's authoritative stare and warrior aura and he withdraws with a sad look on his face that speaks much more than any words could. I am pretty sure that Alexios would have picked Mikkos if he could choose, given that the main questline's title is <i>Have You Seen My Mikkos?</i>. Not to mention how much fun, deliciously wild and adorably campy the romance with him is. You can still reject Roxana during the ending scene and make her leave you alone, but even so you have already lost your last chance of romancing Mikkos in the sunset, as he will be nearby afterwards, but apart from complimenting Alexios on his looks, he will not say anything else to him.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxapDcvvWYNUykpHxWYHqgm56kKTP9MA1-qhBq7jbS-n3wO3h58XM9CLmvlE88br1wE52xH2YbpcxzidiUOTD_QRtDt1bErDWog1KLdfXXQQaijR0yhMtUjYrnbzFJWVhz9mTfLAcO_H0B/s1280/vlcsnap-2020-10-20-00h22m21s116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxapDcvvWYNUykpHxWYHqgm56kKTP9MA1-qhBq7jbS-n3wO3h58XM9CLmvlE88br1wE52xH2YbpcxzidiUOTD_QRtDt1bErDWog1KLdfXXQQaijR0yhMtUjYrnbzFJWVhz9mTfLAcO_H0B/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2020-10-20-00h22m21s116.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The way the two stories are entwined challenges your moral status in a rather frustrating way, as in the end of the Lemnos story you are robbed of your free will if you spared Roxana on Melos. Even if you want your character to follow a specific path in their sex life, but decide to romance Roxana strictly out of human compassion so as to not sacrifice her (and for practical reasons, so as to hire her on your ship), she will totally ruin your affair with Mikkos later and, what's worse, you are not even given the chance to decide yourself which lover you will pick. Your story with Mikkos will end happily only if you have killed Roxana on Melos, or if you start her story after Mikkos's questline is safely complete. But even if you do the latter, you will still have to kill her if you don't want to romance her. Plainly put, the game practically forces you to romance Roxana if you don't want to be a murderer.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On a different pace and atmosphere, the enchanting adventure <i>Trouble In Paradise </i>which takes place on the Silver Islands, is a beautiful and immersive story that could even stand alone as a DLC episode. Alexios arrives on Mykonos to hunt down and kill one of the Cultists, the ruthless Podarkes, who rules the islands with an iron fist, after receiving a message from Kyra, the leader of a group of rebels who fervently want to get rid of the evil man. Kyra has one more reason to hate Podarkes, as he had guards kill her mother when she was little. Alexios meets Kyra and he also meets Thaletas, a Spartan polemarch who had also received a similar message from Kyra and arrived on Mykonos to help her free and secure the Silver Islands. You can flirt with both of them, but you can fully romance only one, and your decision will naturally have consequences. Like in the previous case, I will analyze my own choices only, with their own outcomes and side-effects.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kyra is a smart, funny and pretty girl, and among all the possible
female romance options for our character, she seems to be the second most
fitting choice after Odessa. Similarly, Thaletas is handsome, intelligent, brave and
proud; hands down, the best match for Alexios among all male romance
options, and all romance options, for that matter, since my Alexios prefers boys anyway; so I always romance Thaletas in this questline. In my headcanon, Thaletas is Alexios's destined soulmate and lover,
partly due to their common background, since they are both Spartans, and
mainly because there is this intense chemistry between them. Thaletas is a seemingly arrogant young man who, however, hides a very sensitive and romantic side behind his beautiful features, and it becomes rather obvious that he is smitten with Alexios from the moment when the two of them meet for the first time. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRwQYijX8Ov46Lh_X0I0HYy_484CEWpAOIAM3uwSxlgKe_R6UO4YkcDuSd7MaPXm7msqH0UJFsvx4CP0WG0fihuGuRz4ooHQLiEdyfazR3RUXFQSVYAXVQlQ7ObN9pxOnFpRYCEtapdhb/s1280/vlcsnap-2020-10-26-23h31m09s707.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRwQYijX8Ov46Lh_X0I0HYy_484CEWpAOIAM3uwSxlgKe_R6UO4YkcDuSd7MaPXm7msqH0UJFsvx4CP0WG0fihuGuRz4ooHQLiEdyfazR3RUXFQSVYAXVQlQ7ObN9pxOnFpRYCEtapdhb/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2020-10-26-23h31m09s707.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Interestingly enough, this becomes initially clear only if you take a specific path at the start of the questline. As soon as the story starts, you have to check two locations: Kyra's hideout in a secret cave and the beach where Thaletas and his men are fighting against Athenians. If you go to meet Kyra first, she and Alexios will eventually run to the beach to assist Thaletas and will fight alongside him. After the brief battle is over, the scene plays out in a rather neutral way for our hero, as Thaletas's attention is mainly focused towards Kyra, with whom he has an affair, and he doesn't seem to take Alexios into much consideration. Whereas if you go to the beach before visiting the hideout, the first contact with Thaletas will be between him and Alexios only. Kyra will not be present, and in the scene after the battle Thaletas will openly express how impressed he is with Alexios and his battling skills. You can definitely see those love sparkles flickering all around the white sands, and it is more than certain that it was written in the stars for the the two boys to come across each other. Although the rest of the story will unfold the same way even if you and Thaletas had a typical first meeting, choosing to go to the beach first to meet Thaletas on your own, sets the mood and gives you a hint about what the young Spartan might be hiding from his girlfriend. Moreover, if you go to the beach first, Thaletas will arrive a bit later at Kyra's hideout, and there is a brief extra segment in the scene, during which <a href="https://hisbrokenbutterfly.tumblr.com/post/642413018861486080/i-just-noticed-that-in-this-scene-as-thaletas-is">Thaletas offers an almost missable cue about his unexpected feelings towards our hero</a>.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The next part of the story takes place at the rebel hideout where you are called to choose between Kyra's strategy and Thaletas's plan, both aiming at weakening the Athenian forces and, subsequently, making it easier to kill Podarkes. If you decide to aid Thaletas with his aggressive plan, you will have a golden chance to find him alone at the beach and directly flirt with him for the first time. Notably, out of the three crucial dialogue options that you are offered, the two have strong sexual undertones and, even more notably, Thaletas will respond accordingly to either of them, confessing that he is attracted to Alexios, but cannot leave Kyra for the time being. He will then send you on a couple of risky missions that will harm the Athenians, therefore setting the ground for a battle that will favor the Spartans.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgwx8hDyd8PKD3RY4qyQtP4DwOo9xiT7ib_0rGStxgps6v-67m6sAKb4RCRl8ODZJh89taPr7aHk57y2XsqDsx0pHlnhK9r10wWRe0vxhGGvobFqIlSDtFKH5PZnU5xlmRW_LSakCldXT/s1280/vlcsnap-2020-10-20-11h28m23s984.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgwx8hDyd8PKD3RY4qyQtP4DwOo9xiT7ib_0rGStxgps6v-67m6sAKb4RCRl8ODZJh89taPr7aHk57y2XsqDsx0pHlnhK9r10wWRe0vxhGGvobFqIlSDtFKH5PZnU5xlmRW_LSakCldXT/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2020-10-20-11h28m23s984.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At this point, you are recommended to go and talk to Kyra and agree to help her too with her own plan. Her strategy is more stealthy, as it involves secretly destroying the Athenians's supplies and stealing their money. You may skip all her quests, but it is recommenced that you do at least one in order to further weaken Podarkes, therefore making him easier to kill. In any case, after certain missions are completed, an extra one will be unlocked, which will reveal to you a shocking secret about Kyra's past: she is Podarkes's illegitimate daughter, something that she was unaware of all these years that she was seeking revenge from the man who was responsible for the murder of her mother. Meanwhile, your romance with Thaletas keeps blooming, and when all his tasks are done, you can then openly ask him to become your lover, which he will finally accept and admit that he is in love with our hero after teasing him a bit more. But as it turns out, it is more than worth the while, and after their love is consummated, he and Alexios will exchange a warm vow to meet again after the war is over.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbaUBL_a9uYQCpZJV_uFvV1-Kc3pwCeWEn_w5veiupo3u3o19iCbK5UBF1BC7q5k6JqiN8CaNZDK5BOBcqoOXi5NPeIanup6noMalO0ZBZ919e3GPXOmwWQfDYqZhqajbapw6t2tG8pnH/s1280/vlcsnap-2020-10-20-04h19m37s909.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbaUBL_a9uYQCpZJV_uFvV1-Kc3pwCeWEn_w5veiupo3u3o19iCbK5UBF1BC7q5k6JqiN8CaNZDK5BOBcqoOXi5NPeIanup6noMalO0ZBZ919e3GPXOmwWQfDYqZhqajbapw6t2tG8pnH/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2020-10-20-04h19m37s909.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the Kyra front, however, things are rather nasty. You are facing the moral dilemma to reveal her secret to all the rebels or talk to her about it in private. If you do the former, her troops will abandon her and she will get mad at you. Although this looks like a bad move, it is a choice that somehow highlights your intention to take the girl out of the picture, to ensure that Thaletas will never go back to her. Later on, after Podarkes is dead, you will need to speak to her as she is about to burn her father's corpse. There are a few things you can tell her at that point, but only one choice each time will have a good ending as far as she is concerned. All other choices will lead her to commit suicide by falling off a cliff. As bad and malicious as the latter feels, it is the only way for you to have a little hope considering your future with Thaletas, who now seems to have finally made up his mind and has decided to go back to Sparta, praying that he and Alexios will someday cross paths again. So your last chance to keep the flame burning is to make Kyra fall to her death and then lie to Thaletas about her demise. If you tell him the sad news, he will get extremely upset and will not want to see you again, which means that you totally messed up everything. If Kyra is alive, however, not only will Thaletas go back to her, but he will also decide to stay on the Silver Islands with her instead of returning to Sparta. On the positive side, you remain good friends with both of them, and as a bonus, Kyra is thankful that Alexios taught Thaletas new tricks. I guess she is either too confident or too naive to believe that her boyfriend will not seek an encore with the master in the future.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So the choices that you make in this story are decisive for your love life but at the same time are constantly testing your moral standing. If Alexios chooses to save Kyra, he will lose Thaletas for good. But if he makes her kill herself and, assuming he and Thaletas do find each other again after the war as they promised, will he be able to live with the burden of her death in his conscience? My guess is that, since the mercenary's life has definitely hardened him, and seeing that he is able to lie so easily about such a serious matter, he will get over it sooner or later, especially since the prospect of a blissful love life still remains bright for the days to come. <br /></div><br /><div><p></p></div>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-65996036104501539182020-10-16T11:59:00.049-07:002020-10-18T08:52:21.781-07:00Yukio Mishima and The Evil Within<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Some other time in this blog, I mentioned how the backstories of the characters in video games give us a rich insight concerning the research that the developers went through while shaping them. Sometimes, said backstories involve details that may be offered randomly and thus pass unnoticed, until you get a clue to put them together: then it is like puzzle pieces that are placed in the right spots to form an image, thanks to which the character that they concern is set under a new, revealing light.<br /><br />
In <i>The Assignment</i>, one of the extra episodes of <i>The Evil Within</i>, where we get to play as Juli Kidman, we have the chance to view parts of the main game's story through her eyes. While literally floating in a state between reality and nightmare, Juli comes across some particularly nasty surprises in her way. The most revealing of them is having to fight Joseph Oda, who appears before her as a Haunted, determined to kill her. In her attempt to distract him so as to perform her attacks against him, Juli can resort to several diversions, one of them being turning on a film in a small cinema, which depicts Joseph as a Samurai, yielding a katana.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRg0x_fH2pC27FTF6ArlyrokGd-nsWG61KdG8WCOWSLRz-ssWlAyGQ86YBB5Ir05U6JYN7SMMl1qwJHfGhcIoiCLZRgvvkt8EKvvnxI-XrHvCsTDNUIh97oFfd4kAwhpQ0RBL_6AzfLIC/s1600/20190403034354_1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRg0x_fH2pC27FTF6ArlyrokGd-nsWG61KdG8WCOWSLRz-ssWlAyGQ86YBB5Ir05U6JYN7SMMl1qwJHfGhcIoiCLZRgvvkt8EKvvnxI-XrHvCsTDNUIh97oFfd4kAwhpQ0RBL_6AzfLIC/s640/20190403034354_1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /></div><br />
It is interesting that, although we are already aware from the main game that Joseph is the descendant of a historical family of Samurais, this is the first and only time that we see him literally paying homage to his heritage, and it is through an indirect means, in the distorted reality created by Ruvik in STEM. As Ruvik is exploiting the memories of his victims, blending them with his own so as to be able to control them, it becomes clear that the appearance of this specific film comes straight from Joseph's memory stash, serving as a way to confuse him at that point (because he is a Haunted, therefore not himself), while offering Juli the chance to stealthily attack him.<br /><br />
Joseph is described as a considerate and composed man, but it is hinted that he is constantly suppressing himself in order to comply to the norms and stereotypes of society. Coming from a strict upbringing, he feels forced - partly by his environment and partly by his own self - to keep his sensitivities and weaknesses hidden. This is something rather typical of the Samurai upbringing, so it is natural that Joseph, due to his family's historical past, had it too, to some degree at least. The film that we have the chance to see in <i>The Assignment</i> shows that he had been through Samurai training as part of his celebrated family's tradition.<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Mostly known for his ritualistic suicide via "seppuku" (or harakiri), Yukio Mishima was nonetheless a multi-talented writer, considered one of the most important Japanese authors of the 20th century. Both as an artist and a personality, he was obsessed with beauty, eroticism and death, as well as their becoming one. Mishima was a homosexual, but growing up in the extremely strict Japanese society of the 1930ties made it particularly tough for him to accept and express himself as far as his sexuality was concerned. In 1949, he wrote his now considered iconic novel
"Confessions of a Mask" which, although not entirely autobiographical, narrates episodes and memories of its protagonist that are greatly connected to the author himself. Written in first person, the novel explores a young man's continuous agony as he struggles with his ever-growing and forbidden sexual desires while evolving in a society and a family environment that are not only particularly strict, but moreover guide their members towards very specific, predesignated paths from which it is quite hard - if not impossible - to divert.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIrh0_XAzYOvBF2Hvjm9TSI0L2UDJANkYns-o9ro2qco3i4fXgAHhC1slkoeUwYLUCPJa8kk9I3yyTffNENA77wS3i2WLh7BUlYFQGMefhMpdgjNK_ABUR9g4PTQSgGiM7GF2O_7hnfWN/s750/yukio_mishima_card.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="750" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIrh0_XAzYOvBF2Hvjm9TSI0L2UDJANkYns-o9ro2qco3i4fXgAHhC1slkoeUwYLUCPJa8kk9I3yyTffNENA77wS3i2WLh7BUlYFQGMefhMpdgjNK_ABUR9g4PTQSgGiM7GF2O_7hnfWN/w640-h530/yukio_mishima_card.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The young narrator starts his confessions going back to his childhood and early teens, during which time he had his first sexual awakenings triggered by random visual experiences. Although not the very first, the strongest, most memorable and critical one was an image of Saint Sebastian that he saw in a book, a painting by Guido Reni which depicted the saint during his torture, tied on a tree with his body pierced with arrows. The hero describes with both precision and subtlety all the emotions that rushed through him while looking at that painting, resulting in a rather intense first experience of culmination which defined his subsequent view of people and the world and made him more than conscious of his sexual identity. However, living in a society that condemned such deviations from the accepted norms, he knew that he would be forced to live his life in disguise, always putting on a mask that would hide his true self from the rest of the world.</div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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Joseph of <i>The Evil Within</i> has grown up in a similar environment - probably not so strict, but still the values and beliefs that characterized old-time Japan should have been ever present in the life of his family and surrounding environment. Apparently he took some important education, then trained to become a detective. We can see from his attitude and approach that he likes to dig into things, examine them deeper and he also has a notable combinatorial mind. He has a small notebook where he writes down everything that he sees or thinks that can be related to a crime case. He got married at a relatively young age and made his own family, but he still seems to be quite vulnerbale socially, despite his smartness and the choice that he made to follow a dangerous line of work. But maybe he chose the specific line of work for this reason: so as to give him inner strength and help him overcome his fears and anxieties.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPUuGtBllq3U2jdK0NmbTc9dKwUc_V6gY-q7ctJs0ahNsSVN_hfVGNvcHyoRJTZNVd7eFsG0aM4lESjAhd-puP8O3Qkg6yqwhsc2KSKtVrRdbdogPMBCGTV14XEju_PjMNQYPp-ASHFRU/s1386/joseb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="1386" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPUuGtBllq3U2jdK0NmbTc9dKwUc_V6gY-q7ctJs0ahNsSVN_hfVGNvcHyoRJTZNVd7eFsG0aM4lESjAhd-puP8O3Qkg6yqwhsc2KSKtVrRdbdogPMBCGTV14XEju_PjMNQYPp-ASHFRU/w640-h478/joseb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Teaming up with Sebastian was a turning point in both his professional and personal/social life, as Sebastian was quite different as a person, and came from an equally different environment and background. Although he was not too open as a character either, he was much more free sentimentally and spiritually and, unlike Joseph, obviously not hunted by strict rules and norms. The two partners formed a close bond and became good friends, always caring for and helping each other. From a symbolic aspect, Sebastian was for Joseph what Saint Sebastian was for Mishima, a new force in his life which brought forward a mental strength that he always had but kept suppressed and maybe woke up in him some darker and forbidden desires (maybe towards Sebastian as well). Sebastian, aptly named after the saint, was in a similar way tortured - not literally like him, but psychologically broken - but he was also a hot-blooded, passionate man who would always show his feelings and never suppress himself. Although he too was positively affected by Joseph's presence in his life - the calmness and love for order that were due to Joseph's upbringing helped Sebastian have better control - the biggest influence was the one that he had on Joseph, something that the latter obviously came to realize while being trapped in STEM, during which time his subconscious took over and brought him face to face with new revelations about himself.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are several instances in the game, where we can see a progression of this newfound self-awareness, albeit they all occur in the dream-like sequences that STEM creates. What triggers the initiation of this development is his succumbing to Ruvik's power and becoming a Haunted for the first time. This transition could very well symbolize the awakening of his darker side and all those elements that he kept hidden in the real, "civilized" world. During the sequences when Joseph is a Haunted, he seems to possess an insane power which makes him become extremely violent and lethal. Unlike any other random Haunted, however, he is totally aware of this transformation and seems to be able to control it, as he can go back to normal and vice-versa. In a most revealing scene at the start of Chapter 7, after he and Sebastian found refuge in an abandoned church, he acknowledges that he does like it when he turns, since this transforms him into someone that he cannot be in real life. Although it scares him, it also fascinates him, and this is one more reason why, in the previous chapter, he tried to put an end to his life. Embracing his dark side would mean accepting all that would come along, and this is something that can also be applied to his normal, real life. Just like Mishima, Joseph is in a constant struggle between faithfully following the rules with which he grew up and freeing himself from everything that keeps him enslaved<br /></div></div>hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-38635407900888592182020-08-07T03:34:00.004-07:002022-12-10T04:20:17.438-08:00Elements of Classic and Contemporary Culture in Life Is Strange 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Apart from its extensive references to JD Salinger's novel <i>The Catcher in the Rye</i> and its <i>Resident Evil </i>easter eggs, which I covered in two separate articles (<a href="https://www.strangedarkstories.com/2019/12/the-catcher-in-rye-and-life-is-strange.html">here</a> and <a href="https://www.strangedarkstories.com/2020/03/resident-evil-easter-eggs-in-life-is.html">here</a>), <i>Life is Strange 2</i> features many more references to both classic and contemporary culture, which are also worth exploring, as all of them are not simply there for the sake of it, but are moreover connected to the game's story and its characters in several ways. Some are more obvious while others require a bit more observation and search.</div>
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Finn's name nods to Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer's best friend from Mark Twain's famous novels <i>The Adventures of Tom Sawyer </i>and <i>The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn</i>. Huckleberry, best known as Huck, is a young boy who lives in the margins of society; son of a drunkard, abusive father, he found it was better to live in the streets. He is smart and cunning, sometimes gets misguided, but he has a heart of gold. Pretty much like Finn from the game, that is. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9ZJmEJCRfY5HMvKCFKZO0cxHwSF0BThRGJ0H08wjVlajvh4c01qvc5htEBshs8x5v0y04r0kS_oZZ60685P_m9HGLLKnGofLwTqfXG_RRyTDwYR4kKSA_gCYH2DdQlUA63MWaJ6BAsvn/s1490/finn.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="1490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9ZJmEJCRfY5HMvKCFKZO0cxHwSF0BThRGJ0H08wjVlajvh4c01qvc5htEBshs8x5v0y04r0kS_oZZ60685P_m9HGLLKnGofLwTqfXG_RRyTDwYR4kKSA_gCYH2DdQlUA63MWaJ6BAsvn/s640/finn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finn with Sean (left) and Huck with Tom from a recent film adaptation of <i>Tom Sawyer</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Additionally, Finn's full first name is Finnegan, referencing <i>Finnegan's Wake</i>, the novel written by James Joyce which is considered the most complex work of fiction of British literature and the hardest to interpret. It is written in a bizarre, complex style which consists of puns, made-up words and idioms and its story is like a maze. Something which, to some extent, applies to Finn who may have an extrovert attitude and social charisma, but he is also multi-dimensional, with many secrets and unexplored paths in his character.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is not the only case where James Joyce comes into play in the game. When Sean and Daniel enter Karen's room at the end of episode 2, they find one of her toys, a bear called Ulysses. Ulysses may be the legendary hero of Homer's <i>Odyssey</i>, but it is also the title of one of Joyce's most famous novels. Both the <i>Odyssey </i>and <i>Ulysses </i>narrate numerous adventures that their main heroes go through, just like Sean and Daniel do during their journey. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By the end of episode 3, Sean is seriously injured and loses his left eye. Later in episode 4, Karen gives him an eye patch to cover it with. Interestingly enough, James Joyce used to wear an identical eye patch over his left eye, since he had many problems with his vision and had undergone several operations for this purpose.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsl955adbrKzITKugQt3AvhjoHvor5WnM6YMs-LbVc4Wc9ZtLBohrEiSJm-ppCfBK0nnTXq2Ct9WzxcgKXucNVCIwCEi5-ZwSY5OkmJTOmwC232Q-uUzd-E4VS7Nnj1Sl1RCja8cZWmtAF/s1094/js.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1094" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsl955adbrKzITKugQt3AvhjoHvor5WnM6YMs-LbVc4Wc9ZtLBohrEiSJm-ppCfBK0nnTXq2Ct9WzxcgKXucNVCIwCEi5-ZwSY5OkmJTOmwC232Q-uUzd-E4VS7Nnj1Sl1RCja8cZWmtAF/s640/js.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sean (left) and James Joyce with their eye patches<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sean and his destroyed eye also allude to Carl Grimes from <i>The Walking Dead</i>, who lost his right eye after being shot. From that point and on, Carl is always seen wearing a bandage over his eye, just like Sean during the months after his injury.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8O1klLtCBULCpz_8p1dTLU4L0e1qlwtgVi8ihSNlpctwSWDek-p2yNo7zhuuXPo3Sh1C61fw4AzLISMLg1fu7UhmSRbTDCrbb6DptuQzCkQLOPRpyctFuUH6UFpHdnRoUVjQcW4uWLYph/s1450/sc.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="1450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8O1klLtCBULCpz_8p1dTLU4L0e1qlwtgVi8ihSNlpctwSWDek-p2yNo7zhuuXPo3Sh1C61fw4AzLISMLg1fu7UhmSRbTDCrbb6DptuQzCkQLOPRpyctFuUH6UFpHdnRoUVjQcW4uWLYph/s640/sc.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sean (left) and Carl, both with bandaged eyes<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This resemblance alone might have been random, but it is not, as it is related to a few more W<i>alking Dead</i> easter eggs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While Sean and Daniel reside in the abandoned cabin in the woods in episode 2, they (well, most probably Daniel!) carve the message "Keep out, Wolves inside". In the first episode of <i>The Walking Dead</i>, Rick Grimes wakes up from a coma at a hospital and, while wandering around the deserted, bloody halls, he arrives outside the Cafeteria, where someone has written "Don't open, Dead inside" on the padlocked doors. Since Daniel's fascination with zombies is well known, we can easily assume that he wrote the message on the cabin wall, inspired by the one in the series.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9I-TIzujOXZCsthI-HqXA38U1Np3mBxFT2oT2XaER7ihtQkKs4mzCnCt6wAI9dN4i1W2OcS20NHXPy4REWpzl6gcPq6Cwe6NfgaBsPJkpzXxk2N3P6p9D6lGruqANj1nrR2V8IDGiP6hg/s1274/op.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="1274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9I-TIzujOXZCsthI-HqXA38U1Np3mBxFT2oT2XaER7ihtQkKs4mzCnCt6wAI9dN4i1W2OcS20NHXPy4REWpzl6gcPq6Cwe6NfgaBsPJkpzXxk2N3P6p9D6lGruqANj1nrR2V8IDGiP6hg/s640/op.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Additionally, after Sean escapes from the hospital to find Daniel in episode 4, he comes across two hostile locals in the desert, one of whom is particularly violent and when he realizes that Sean is Mexican, he attempts to humiliate him in any way he can think of. If you choose to obey to him to avoid trouble, in the end he forces Sean to sing a song in Spanish. This scene reminds of one in <i>The Walking Dead</i>, where the bloodthirsty villain Negan forces Carl to sing a song for him in private. Although Negan's motives are different from the evil guy's in the game, the sequence plays out in a similar way.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwW8UfdzQhdZS2swwGtAadifh78i0_TEuHfUU_kX9FE6FzAYDFznbkWlLfVCL7nqPztAYMeLlTt729MWbFiWA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The scene from <i>Life is Strange 2</i><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dytbDxIC7y7U1kRKH9Ca8CkFswQZ7Ou_WkV3DINTqaUlpzzU5d6am_uZRVCuRrdKLsauxfWoCjmxxRKhc6PLw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The scene from <i>The Walking Dead</i><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">When episode 3 starts, we do not know much about Finn yet, but as the story unfolds, we have the chance to learn about him and his habits. While exploring his friend's tent, Sean spots a copy of <i>The Lord of the Flies</i>, the famous novel by William Golding. The book tells the story of a group of students who find themselves stranded on a tropical island after their plane crashes, and are forced to find means to survive in an environment where the wild and the unknown are not the most dangerous enemies. Apart from the book's literary significance, it also relates to the story of the game as the group of drifters led by Finn live a solitary life out on the road and are called to face several dangers every day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LhtNIS-7AsAbTilLvOUie05bARmLiP4JibvaP6wPMIjl15lxcVKPyyrj_2WyCJIwaGn8NKNpYejkjGBYr4o12ttuyv9Su-WdubJDh3P-QWKiyMhKideIjonULERxUcXfZilf26aeuudr/s1920/20190509214317_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LhtNIS-7AsAbTilLvOUie05bARmLiP4JibvaP6wPMIjl15lxcVKPyyrj_2WyCJIwaGn8NKNpYejkjGBYr4o12ttuyv9Su-WdubJDh3P-QWKiyMhKideIjonULERxUcXfZilf26aeuudr/s640/20190509214317_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">That said, there are also references to Jack Kerouak's novel<i> On The Road</i>, where the main characters are in the course of a road trip that follows a route similar to the one Sean and Daniel take, which also ends in Mexico. The drifters' bohemian lifestyle, smoking weed, traveling through the desert, getting to California, all this alludes to Kerouak's story, which is, to a high degree, autobiographical, although he has altered the names of the real people who correspond to his fictional characters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukBlcj7TQhcUA2Tk-sX-taHsE273ditbuSwHBMMiF4D_jcEOyzTzWK-O44uBmT38_CggJEo0MbquTmyX0e8qsbOYoUux40B-l8Jf6HMvIxJmsh3NK1W9JiTKQ4L1H9gCRBVV7a0AVHozs/s939/jack.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="939" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukBlcj7TQhcUA2Tk-sX-taHsE273ditbuSwHBMMiF4D_jcEOyzTzWK-O44uBmT38_CggJEo0MbquTmyX0e8qsbOYoUux40B-l8Jf6HMvIxJmsh3NK1W9JiTKQ4L1H9gCRBVV7a0AVHozs/s640/jack.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kerouak (top left) and his friends in Mexico City<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">One of them is Dean Moriarty, whose real life counterpart was Neal Cassady. Cassidy's name is partly a tribute to him, since her own attitude is laid back and carefree like his was. Her most significant reference, however, is to Eva Cassidy, a singer and guitarist who used to play and sing in the streets for a good amount of her life, but died very young. Since the game's Cassidy is a talented singer and guitarist, we can assume that she used to sing from an early age, and probably adopted her nickname to honor the famous but ill-fated musician. Or maybe her friends called her that way because she would always sing and play her guitar.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUzRPn20k5UJXRImobceE-JepHGQDvsw3CTbDCi0555wMWyM2jQqwXnbJUaXOqLZiKb2QrV5irAwWQ49gh7-QEgPwAZEN3xCcdib4PY3AIDelwPD2SfsW3yRBMhNi2tMfhLSEqO0tEJBy/s1189/cass.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="1189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUzRPn20k5UJXRImobceE-JepHGQDvsw3CTbDCi0555wMWyM2jQqwXnbJUaXOqLZiKb2QrV5irAwWQ49gh7-QEgPwAZEN3xCcdib4PY3AIDelwPD2SfsW3yRBMhNi2tMfhLSEqO0tEJBy/s640/cass.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cassisy (left) and real-life musician Eva Cassisy<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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Pennywise took his nickname from the penny he is wearing as a pendant, as a reminder of the dear friend that he lost and is desperately trying to find. If we attempt to analyze his nickname more thoroughly, it hints at his street wisdom, since he tends to express philosophical questions several times during the game. The nick itself, however, nods to <i>It</i> by Stephen King and its main evil character Pennywise. Of course the game's Penny is anything but evil; sharing a name with such a terrifyinh character is pure irony. Maybe he was a fan of King's horror stories, and besides he is the kind of person who tends to believe in conspiracy theories and urban legends.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Having a copy of <i>The Lord of the Flies</i> is not Finn's only exhibition of literary interest. If we take the time to look around the drifters' camp in the forest, we will come upon a tree with the words "Bonjour Tristess" (sic) sprayed on them. We can be sure it is Finn who wrote them, as they are made with the same style and the same colours that he used to spray the target on the tree near the lake, so that Daniel could practice knife-throwing. The words allude to the novel <i>Bonjour Tristesse</i> by Fran<span class="st">ç</span>oise Sagan, which tells the story of a frivolous teenager who unwillingly causes a family tragedy. Though not directly related to Finn as a theme, the book and his life's story do have the tragic factor in common, only in his case the drama was caused by his father. But it's very likely that Finn didn't care much about the story of the book, and was more attracted to its pessimistic title (<i>Hello sadness</i>) which he liked to use as a quote, albeit he did misspell it on the graffiti. Or maybe he was directly quoting Paul Éluard's poem <i>À peine défigurée</i>, from which the phrase originally comes. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6qtGQLP2KLsLpVTF5oF4RtSBK9ovBcK4V7QVjNliATAuegzlwWlAUMt_g8NQaeAs-FweFJooy5Eh12bTe0X-jyHR0jS8ANDE-QId510S9SZwVBKSfNiot8oeAz_ZtCXMFVxdyRNsxQGc/s1920/20200121110146_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6qtGQLP2KLsLpVTF5oF4RtSBK9ovBcK4V7QVjNliATAuegzlwWlAUMt_g8NQaeAs-FweFJooy5Eh12bTe0X-jyHR0jS8ANDE-QId510S9SZwVBKSfNiot8oeAz_ZtCXMFVxdyRNsxQGc/s640/20200121110146_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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The scissors in the middle of the graffiti are also one more proof this was made by Finn, as he uses actual scissors a bit later in episode 3 to cut Sean's hair.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kerouak also has written a novel titled <i>Tristessa</i>, which narrates
the story of a real-life prostitute from Mexico whom the writer had
met, and gave her the name Tristessa in the book. See Mexico is ever present
in the game, from the very beginning; and several reminders show up as we proceed.<br /></div>
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A rather unforgettable sequence in episode 3 is right after Cassidy, Finn and Jacob find out about Daniel's power and they swear to Sean that they will keep it a secret. When all are back at the camp, the sub-section that begins is titled <i>Paradise Lost</i>, and it is when Sean has to decide whether he and Daniel will agree to go to Merrill's house to rob his money. The title of this section is borrowed from John Milton's famous poem which tells the biblical story of the fall of man. In this case however its significance is not religious but rather literal. It foretells how the drifters, and together with them Sean and Daniel, are about to lose their freedom, and subsequently the relatively happy days that they were living in the camp, since the heist is going to happen anyway.<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The whole episode 3 is titled <i>Wastelands</i>, taken from TS Eliot's masterpiece <i>The Waste Land</i>, a long poem full of symbols and allegories which is one of the most important works of literature of the 20th century. The whole structure of the poem bears some resemblance to the specific episode from <i>Life is Strange 2</i>, but also to the game overall: it deals with themes such as disorientation, distress and disillusionment, it features several characters who talk about various themes in turn and in the end comes judgement. Additionally, it is split in five parts, like<i> Life is Strange 2</i> has five episodes, and there is imagery in each of them that can be related to the game's story sequences.<br /></div>
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hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-32699702396602561122020-06-24T09:05:00.001-07:002020-12-30T10:55:28.969-08:00The Most Cult Moment in Resident Evil History<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Although <i>Resident Evil 3 Remake</i> disappointed many of us for not including a few iconic
areas, like the Town Hall, the Clock Tower or the Cemetary, we were compensated by an anthology moment, a sequence that is funny, insane, creepy and horrifying at the same time, and which builds up gradually and silently in the background, from the start of the game up to that very moment when it happens. The culmination is a scene that I think will be considered cult material in the Resident Evil fandom for generations to come. </div>
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When the intro sequence is over and the main game begins, you are undergound with Carlos and he leads you to the subway train where he and Mikhail, his Captain, are providing shelter for survivors so as to get them out of town. But the subway has no power to move, so you have to make your way outside, run to the local Substation and restore the power. The first thing that you see upon exiting from the subway via a half-closed shutter is a glimpse of a huge doll head standing on the roof of the local toy store.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU5W7bybdsO82d9vUU-2V6rSDbVONOqdVi3tID4Q6JpmT2yzLQB9jQxwt-T3Qi2pfdFxuCaIZirpXBm5ZCrblXoePIUrGbv0mqRGs7SFFwF16BxMh1LxHFtpJKDDQQkwkyUcbnjxFh9li/s1600/20200623180221_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU5W7bybdsO82d9vUU-2V6rSDbVONOqdVi3tID4Q6JpmT2yzLQB9jQxwt-T3Qi2pfdFxuCaIZirpXBm5ZCrblXoePIUrGbv0mqRGs7SFFwF16BxMh1LxHFtpJKDDQQkwkyUcbnjxFh9li/s640/20200623180221_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then as you make your way further, you have the chance to see the head better, in all its smiling and somewhat creepy glory. It adorns the roof of a toy store which is called Toy Uncle. Surrounded by spotlights that make its bright colors look even brighter, it stands out in the gloomy and dark town.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TNt-nx5GcNgZOk0bAJr0zMP4h6MA3QgGnvG_1cKdFHz7mFVHPqxgUzNw7SsEd-2f37Fxvr7n9XJwNLOMmV-_te52oMEXAVp3KlaxDpvkZreRwa329p7Yo9cezb3vxSHEfa1CbzQkfCO5/s1600/20200623180335_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TNt-nx5GcNgZOk0bAJr0zMP4h6MA3QgGnvG_1cKdFHz7mFVHPqxgUzNw7SsEd-2f37Fxvr7n9XJwNLOMmV-_te52oMEXAVp3KlaxDpvkZreRwa329p7Yo9cezb3vxSHEfa1CbzQkfCO5/s640/20200623180335_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The path you need to take is on fire, so you have to get to the Railway office in another section of the town, to find a water hose (why the water hose is there, is another story). Going down the steps towards the Donut Shop which leads there, the head is behind you, staring at the zombie-infested town, happy as ever, as if nothing had happened.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFHhnm1u2afc_qTNwoMxVM0STSxzRc-zhEXlsF_j6qvbVEM38aMlaIDVNFUD2pBTJSEqRx0I9pLUNLkE1Xx6MoskMXkqUwXZHxZvyVDKU7fb8rpkhtbn4oqHCtPpcR14bcFLqLFspyXXd/s1600/20200623180427_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFHhnm1u2afc_qTNwoMxVM0STSxzRc-zhEXlsF_j6qvbVEM38aMlaIDVNFUD2pBTJSEqRx0I9pLUNLkE1Xx6MoskMXkqUwXZHxZvyVDKU7fb8rpkhtbn4oqHCtPpcR14bcFLqLFspyXXd/s640/20200623180427_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you are playing in the higher difficulties, where the Donut Shop back door is blocked by a zombie that is banging it from inside, or if you just want to check the alternative route to the Railway office, you can take the long way and go up on the roof of the nearby building from where the head pops up behind the scaffolding.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_tYdpUCsrn7REsRGumCR_6B8mPqztwiaC_-h6HqJFeewHEJHh1MYiTUOP02lSAIw3j9xuorqXoxyrN8PGSk0BDfNhEaDr5dHvtVoIk73BlLOJK_yctU2ltd2XEFolfE5UkalgTng0qCR/s1600/20200624010359_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_tYdpUCsrn7REsRGumCR_6B8mPqztwiaC_-h6HqJFeewHEJHh1MYiTUOP02lSAIw3j9xuorqXoxyrN8PGSk0BDfNhEaDr5dHvtVoIk73BlLOJK_yctU2ltd2XEFolfE5UkalgTng0qCR/s640/20200624010359_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After getting the hose, you return to the alley and, as you exit the Donut Shop from the back door, you can see the head opposite you, smiling in the distance.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdtX5M68MVd6oDs-gCQneQQcI_NncQbuJ6r36fUkxOzvHwRLnDlxLfz0c5kSWtVow7SSjnhnJ-C6Vzdcp7mwQBzrrSbFFoV90B09Jt0spc2x-LugaBUBJb4cwgfo_FMApI4s5vKmRnv2o/s1600/20200623180650_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdtX5M68MVd6oDs-gCQneQQcI_NncQbuJ6r36fUkxOzvHwRLnDlxLfz0c5kSWtVow7SSjnhnJ-C6Vzdcp7mwQBzrrSbFFoV90B09Jt0spc2x-LugaBUBJb4cwgfo_FMApI4s5vKmRnv2o/s640/20200623180650_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After finding the lockpick outside the Substation, you can finally go back to the first area of the town and unlock the door of the toy store. You literally get inside the head's body.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KXRR6lffW4VKdZasD_-Irur-TSaoL-0LfE6DBTathHR8ZbzHd97FRtPTE8GC8189ymM_TtV5u01y9WfO6NUcGLcJBui5bMoEaDWZQo1JtxS2InsSQDf9OPdHIkAG8jx71RtCxjJsLG4d/s1600/20200624010844_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KXRR6lffW4VKdZasD_-Irur-TSaoL-0LfE6DBTathHR8ZbzHd97FRtPTE8GC8189ymM_TtV5u01y9WfO6NUcGLcJBui5bMoEaDWZQo1JtxS2InsSQDf9OPdHIkAG8jx71RtCxjJsLG4d/s640/20200624010844_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the store, there is a poster advertising a doll which is a bobblehead version of the head.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlyNDf4I98VjHN5lmfUJmtrUi-1tqNURr56vreMUoBRidF9KS9BmCtvajI_8mD1JUCeGqsjrf_VxWQbYchTvom0jEhdFhgY5_h0wGt27u1qtjtZx4WuKBS9cWGh6trJA8l_iG633H04iC/s1600/20200623181526_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlyNDf4I98VjHN5lmfUJmtrUi-1tqNURr56vreMUoBRidF9KS9BmCtvajI_8mD1JUCeGqsjrf_VxWQbYchTvom0jEhdFhgY5_h0wGt27u1qtjtZx4WuKBS9cWGh6trJA8l_iG633H04iC/s640/20200623181526_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Reading the brochure, we learn that the doll is called "Charlie Doll"; it was based on the likeness of the Toy Uncle's founder from whom it also took its name, and it has become the mascot of the company. In fact several such bobbleheads can be found scattered in random places around the town; you are practically surrounded by Charlie dolls.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFdraOzwOEltl11XCftrnTllvDhFVX53U7AV3OUJZ59bcmoA40OAMiS9wek3gIFTwPf154OXzULXLtx-2l3DuEnM1OT7rM542ux9kn86l3oj6Og2IGHFegEdb7tDzmU1HE9TPZrY9fXJX/s1600/20200623204356_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFdraOzwOEltl11XCftrnTllvDhFVX53U7AV3OUJZ59bcmoA40OAMiS9wek3gIFTwPf154OXzULXLtx-2l3DuEnM1OT7rM542ux9kn86l3oj6Og2IGHFegEdb7tDzmU1HE9TPZrY9fXJX/s640/20200623204356_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After restoring the power and setting a route for the subway train in the Railway office, you have to go back to the underground station to meet Carlos and the other guys. But as you exit the Donut Shop, Nemesis appears and starts marching at you while the head watches from its rooftop.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJSzLMsIkpXYL1pzYQtLkHiY0E07Fsj6KrapMe0_2EJiWInli_7X0x5WIEGGTlIU9qqTJwBgh_z4_93Qt5OMDgRTjY0cD6YZukKCNtIt6d33M9brO9gjIhiH7LQTKYhvPu1wsBt_PALw5/s1600/20200624011738_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJSzLMsIkpXYL1pzYQtLkHiY0E07Fsj6KrapMe0_2EJiWInli_7X0x5WIEGGTlIU9qqTJwBgh_z4_93Qt5OMDgRTjY0cD6YZukKCNtIt6d33M9brO9gjIhiH7LQTKYhvPu1wsBt_PALw5/s640/20200624011738_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Upon arriving at the platform and as you are about to leave with the guys and the survivors, Nemesis makes a grand entrance, so you decide to stay behind and lure the creature away from the station, as it is supposed to be chasing only the members of STARS, aka you at this very instance. A crazy chase begins resulting in a construction site. As you make your way to the roof, jumping on scaffoldings and climbing ladders, you can spot the head down in the distance.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBOMzGpSc7EiO4GWZIk5g1yVoOwbOxDGGFhSYBhLwMqIZMvg5VfNshA-MNsLpfqbZw_WYDqEDWFvie4QxbTew7Vj6r1PMyPAgVY9XQ_959F5aKfdKs3znJ0VY-AHx_bGWLBJ3JtO3tHU_/s1600/20200623182404_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBOMzGpSc7EiO4GWZIk5g1yVoOwbOxDGGFhSYBhLwMqIZMvg5VfNshA-MNsLpfqbZw_WYDqEDWFvie4QxbTew7Vj6r1PMyPAgVY9XQ_959F5aKfdKs3znJ0VY-AHx_bGWLBJ3JtO3tHU_/s640/20200623182404_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
You climb even higher, and the head is still visible on top of the burning city.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1v7ytLwiRWkwINtF8LAWmiXtm2NItMNx4F6whm8porQNz-OtnDL7kA8-Ay1KYOEIXAlNwRmS6uk09wtvTMvh4cOIbeJI41fKFuX2q5xWvSGzwwjNV1m4KE9oPfxWgR4Egx6nWC35eP3m/s1600/20200623182440_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1v7ytLwiRWkwINtF8LAWmiXtm2NItMNx4F6whm8porQNz-OtnDL7kA8-Ay1KYOEIXAlNwRmS6uk09wtvTMvh4cOIbeJI41fKFuX2q5xWvSGzwwjNV1m4KE9oPfxWgR4Egx6nWC35eP3m/s640/20200623182440_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">When you reach the rooftop of the demolition site, you have to fight Nemesis for the first time. During the boss fight, you may be able to catch a glimpse of the head in the city down below.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1F5t2WxphYYyIu1Mp8JbtLLpcfdOWtw2MCBBC3fKw9XXcdb6gCbTsfE5w0Qj9POuUzysrxEJlREbXhuOEuntdos6fch1grascZuwVIgY8T7v7BZJvO4Z9oSigZoy40jByTtgH28rQzm7/s1280/20201230163834_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1F5t2WxphYYyIu1Mp8JbtLLpcfdOWtw2MCBBC3fKw9XXcdb6gCbTsfE5w0Qj9POuUzysrxEJlREbXhuOEuntdos6fch1grascZuwVIgY8T7v7BZJvO4Z9oSigZoy40jByTtgH28rQzm7/w640-h360/20201230163834_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the boss fight is over on the roof, you find yourself in a street leading to the back area of the Raccoon Police Department. The head can be seen next to a row of buildings across and to the right.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NuvEY9MWW5idxGd_fRhSbuSfvRCJ_EpZyn6dJQXLdOnQRp7EKLWVWMG0vNWFZwlFCEAOAh9qTYJNjiICbKkwIqUMCoOxpOBopYRV0SmyCMIfbzjd45AIeUWc8aQrWN-iAP4oceu4zT_2/s1600/20200624032257_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NuvEY9MWW5idxGd_fRhSbuSfvRCJ_EpZyn6dJQXLdOnQRp7EKLWVWMG0vNWFZwlFCEAOAh9qTYJNjiICbKkwIqUMCoOxpOBopYRV0SmyCMIfbzjd45AIeUWc8aQrWN-iAP4oceu4zT_2/s640/20200624032257_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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You dash inside Robert Kendo's gunshop which is opposite the RPD and, after a brief conversation with Kendo, you take a key which unlocks an alley door neaby. Passing through an abandoned house, you are back in the street leading to the Substation. Of course Nemesis isn't dead and shows up again, this time armed with a rocket launcher, and after a brief crazy chase, it fires a rocket that catapults you near the starting part of the city, from where you can see the head peek-a-booing at you.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnvBTKYPoA02BuYX12k9aq8Iavxz0YRchC-wXqOaIwr3MBeXrgVIeHHU_uHK54gD7EntHvp7ff_mqR3TdoOA-w68E2K2yml1Ef1p3N0G9YQni11cpFuufJo46IbANB4aynnsH2mg0EzL6/s1600/20200623182925_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnvBTKYPoA02BuYX12k9aq8Iavxz0YRchC-wXqOaIwr3MBeXrgVIeHHU_uHK54gD7EntHvp7ff_mqR3TdoOA-w68E2K2yml1Ef1p3N0G9YQni11cpFuufJo46IbANB4aynnsH2mg0EzL6/s640/20200623182925_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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From there, you climb back on the roof leading to the back alley of the Donut Shop, and the head pops up from behind the metal bars.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwIndF4LtU8_b9ZTYYpcKmPP-mn9196SRFY8CQ965Q7zyTIeCjvt5r03mhss9CuNkf4n_9cqGpb44ZBDB6PdthC2eCdKDG53gpUqmgX6oRDmFGsEyrC7fWKof9qszjCAEmFqo856kUo_I/s1600/vlcsnap-2020-06-24-03h31m33s119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwIndF4LtU8_b9ZTYYpcKmPP-mn9196SRFY8CQ965Q7zyTIeCjvt5r03mhss9CuNkf4n_9cqGpb44ZBDB6PdthC2eCdKDG53gpUqmgX6oRDmFGsEyrC7fWKof9qszjCAEmFqo856kUo_I/s640/vlcsnap-2020-06-24-03h31m33s119.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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You jump down to the alley as the whole place is in flames, and the head is staring at you with its creepy smile.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-TSR3GY-OQUyu_Z0O2JGdlL4SBEXMV7FqnHAJle9cVs4tsXLLACw5UD332C7mCO4ok80YxE_m-4uDGOcwJjM9h3rB8K5XySTne4Z5Sdf_lLjqIAwcaXGHvHIxEzZacDzO4CvUcMSlQEm/s1600/20200623183022_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-TSR3GY-OQUyu_Z0O2JGdlL4SBEXMV7FqnHAJle9cVs4tsXLLACw5UD332C7mCO4ok80YxE_m-4uDGOcwJjM9h3rB8K5XySTne4Z5Sdf_lLjqIAwcaXGHvHIxEzZacDzO4CvUcMSlQEm/s640/20200623183022_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The head can be seen from almost everywhere in that first part of the
game, like a landmark and a point of reference in any place you go. Its insisting and unmissable presence constantly hints that something ominous is going to happen soon.<br />
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And just then it happens. As you run up the steps towards the street beneath the head, Nemesis fires a rocket straight at it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmhtqTeKrJY0qDhkATrPVsEYleHLTTKCc2Hxtf1tr6gVCghvuEFMq9EdvhqKxuX0soYoYaOYeXSki0TE3WKsBpisYFut-vWFm5FS7i6AeBW8uGmlk5Smu9HpnEWrgIDSKVxKALqi85DBd/s1600/20200623183032_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmhtqTeKrJY0qDhkATrPVsEYleHLTTKCc2Hxtf1tr6gVCghvuEFMq9EdvhqKxuX0soYoYaOYeXSki0TE3WKsBpisYFut-vWFm5FS7i6AeBW8uGmlk5Smu9HpnEWrgIDSKVxKALqi85DBd/s640/20200623183032_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The head is cut off from its pedestal and tumbles over on the roof of the toy store.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PHtQCHPRjET4b_ZoRp5aIog_LnugwWj1RiICCKwkwPwVv05zjkBq259nxstBxPNzr6iTL8vD3DszxGAZql8oRuLDUaXZ0mWyLds_dGE0q6BrEB9cY-GRv-AufdOaPM2O9gJQxPEFIq7q/s1600/20200623183034_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PHtQCHPRjET4b_ZoRp5aIog_LnugwWj1RiICCKwkwPwVv05zjkBq259nxstBxPNzr6iTL8vD3DszxGAZql8oRuLDUaXZ0mWyLds_dGE0q6BrEB9cY-GRv-AufdOaPM2O9gJQxPEFIq7q/s640/20200623183034_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It drops down on the street and starts rolling down.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0vwN9AKHSyCMeWLdQOdAhuExgnKV90uEK4WrX3P43WwJWqOD4KLj7ugN6E3jDAayNZLPUYZG9QCkNDhh6y1CGzUZok1DeHx2EJqlAs7B9QqckxSBXUTRvfd7loqp2QWA4OJBt6lu5oXH/s1600/20200623183035_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0vwN9AKHSyCMeWLdQOdAhuExgnKV90uEK4WrX3P43WwJWqOD4KLj7ugN6E3jDAayNZLPUYZG9QCkNDhh6y1CGzUZok1DeHx2EJqlAs7B9QqckxSBXUTRvfd7loqp2QWA4OJBt6lu5oXH/s640/20200623183035_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It keeps rolling, chasing you, and it is huge, it is fast and unstoppable. It is a rolling nightmare.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNobSoX1AuZMM3zZaUlO-zXb4I-6H2yIXaSOADO5E1jbxvKx-BMwh6nSDiYXz7x0juH34ibFnp1L-H2HKj0l2IiSCGuAYf_6QPKYTO8XePtKesKy-QjcA0YxWmQsNt8HNiHOBwLeCW1qcj/s1600/vlcsnap-2020-06-24-03h32m03s546.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNobSoX1AuZMM3zZaUlO-zXb4I-6H2yIXaSOADO5E1jbxvKx-BMwh6nSDiYXz7x0juH34ibFnp1L-H2HKj0l2IiSCGuAYf_6QPKYTO8XePtKesKy-QjcA0YxWmQsNt8HNiHOBwLeCW1qcj/s640/vlcsnap-2020-06-24-03h32m03s546.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Assuming you make it in time in a safe spot just to the side of the steps, you have a few seconds to stand and watch it as it keeps rolling down.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QOLYrN9jBRDgqCPzWBb3AQph7TecXAspiGlr0qX29gnDFKq1hNEzb6iiox1xGe-sRT_GKkMwKUEh3ACs-OioVtwl0PQPFveFN8V3K9Xo8xn7oDlt7Mus_rIBoWC2B1S-coDE1K0ok1By/s1600/20200623183049_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QOLYrN9jBRDgqCPzWBb3AQph7TecXAspiGlr0qX29gnDFKq1hNEzb6iiox1xGe-sRT_GKkMwKUEh3ACs-OioVtwl0PQPFveFN8V3K9Xo8xn7oDlt7Mus_rIBoWC2B1S-coDE1K0ok1By/s640/20200623183049_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It reaches the burning yard of the Donut Shop, where it takes a couple more tumbles as long as it has space to move.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9a0RJTXxTf7KcbbtL99elYd-q8BTwnrxKjY3EOSvHiNlzZ090oJEO0yIAm3_l-TSpfpx4bk_hxEx-6IRbSdpvXuxEANtav6nIBinNdVxNJY7UOUTlEnoBUxa6Uh0j0iKdi6uw-WFLqVVJ/s1600/20200623183059_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9a0RJTXxTf7KcbbtL99elYd-q8BTwnrxKjY3EOSvHiNlzZ090oJEO0yIAm3_l-TSpfpx4bk_hxEx-6IRbSdpvXuxEANtav6nIBinNdVxNJY7UOUTlEnoBUxa6Uh0j0iKdi6uw-WFLqVVJ/s640/20200623183059_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nemesis shows up just in time, to add to the thrill of the moment. You can throw a grenade to make it go down for a few minutes, or run for your life if you like taking risks.</div>
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Whatever you do, however, the head remains in place, upside down, still smiling and unaffected by the burning chaos around it.</div>
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The rolling head is one of the new additions in the remake of <i>Resident Evil 3</i>, a terrifying and hilarious sequence where the environment not only becomes interactive, but moreover it is transformed into a moving trap from which there is only a tiny way out. In older games of the series, there would be a random boulder here and there, falling from a high point, and you had to run like mad and hide in a recess or dodge its landing on the spot. The rolling head seems to be a new era type of boulder trap that is not simply dangerous but also surreal and creepy. It has personality and a life of its own. All the while it would just stand there, overlooking the town, a giant but nonetheless innocent object which however becomes a lethal weapon within seconds. This scene is an instant classic and it is guaranteed to stay on top of the most memorable moments in the history of the Resident Evil saga.</div>
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hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-85509877424574448512020-05-15T11:28:00.000-07:002020-06-20T09:03:52.728-07:00The Beautiful Legends of Assassin's Creed: Odyssey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Regular readers of this blog may find it strange that I decided to write about a game of the Assassin's Creed saga, mainly because it is a series I have never mentioned before anywhere here and its gameplay style is quite different from that of the games I usually play and am interested in. Of course I was familiar with the series since a very long time now, but although I own two more of its games (<i>Brotherhood </i>and <i>Revelations</i>) I never got down to play either of them (just a tiny bit of <i>Brotherhood</i>; a brief segment from the beginning). Games that involve complicated combat where you have to combine skills and perform them while fighting are not so much my style; I prefer yielding a handgun or a revolver and shooting mercilessly at the enemy, be it human or zombie. Regardless I managed to learn a few cool moves in <i>Odyssey</i>, and it made my gaming life so much easier in my replays of the game. Above all though I am thankful for stealth; fortunately the Assassin's Creed games rely a lot on it. In <i>Odyssey </i>at least there are almost always alternative stealthy ways to clear or pass a section; I managed to weaken whole forts while nearly exclusively defeating the enemies with stealth kills, and go through enemy-packed areas by moving around silently without anyone taking notice.</div>
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<i>Assassin's Creed</i>: <i>Odyssey </i>is a player-friendly game which gives you the option to focus on the aspect that you wish, choosing between difficulty levels that highlight different sides of it. So for my first run I chose the mode which allows you to enjoy the story without worrying too much about the enemies. This of course does not mean that the gameplay is a walk in the park this way; the bosses are still a pain, the elite enemies are still bugging the hell out of you, certain missions are still playing with your nervous system. Some mini bosses are so frustrating that you will maybe find yourself wishing you never accepted their respective missions. But overall everything becomes quite easier to go through than in the more demanding levels, especially as you level up and upgrade your inventory, offering you the chance to move on with the plot faster. Even so, it took me ten days to complete only the main story and a few important quests when playing the game for the first time.<br />
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I knew <i>Odyssey </i>was going to be an amazing game, after seeing a few clips and knowing that its main plot was taking place in Ancient Greece. And this was the reason why I wanted so eagerly to play it. As it turned out, not only was not I wrong, but the game even surpassed my expectations. The main story is incredible, the graphics are stunningly beautiful, the characters are magnificent and inspiring. <i>Odyssey</i> is one of those games that actually never end. Pretty much like the latest Tomb Raider games, you can finish the main story and then still be able to roam around every single mountain top, valley, city or lake looking for treasures and all sorts of stuff. <i>Odyssey </i>is even more of this kind, as it continuously offers new quests so that you can practically gather money as reward and keep on levelling up. And if you love complex combat, you have the chance to practice even more as your character becomes stronger and try out those cool, complicated moves.</div>
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The main characters are Alexios and Kassandra, two siblings of Spartan origin, grandchildren of the great Leonidas, who get separated after a tragic event in their early childhood, and whose fate is both tragic and glorious. You can pick either of them as your playable protagonist, and whoever you choose to play with, will be the older sibling, having their
own respective flashback scenes and childhood memories. I always play
with Alexios, so he is going to be my canon protagonist in this article
as well. Alexios as the protagonist is a mercenary of Spartan descent with royal and divine heritage, and Kassandra as the antagonist plays a crucial (and dramatic, depending on your choices) role in the story from a point and on, after we discover that she has been brainwashed almost beyond cure by a dangerous Cult whose members offered her shelter as a baby but then trained her to become a human lethal weapon, turning her against her own bloodline. The father, Nikolaos, almost blindly loyal to Spartan laws and honor, played a crucial part in the events that caused the tragedy of his family. The mother, Myrrine, sought her fate elsewhere and found a new destination, in an attempt to put the past behind her. A cunning but good-hearted man, Markos, took little Alexios under his wing and raised him the best way he could, to grow into a brave and strong-willed young man who trained to become a mercenary. Alexios had an eagle, Ikaros, as a companion since he was very little,
and now uses the bird always as a helper to scout the places he has to
explore; this is how he got the title of the Eagle Bearer. He has his
own special and literal bird's eye view. The family's paths are doomed to cross again, but whether this is for the best or not, depends on your choices and how you decide to guide your hero. <br />
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For me, Alexios is perfect for the part of the good lead protagonist; he is
proud, imposingly handsome, with something genuinely candid and pure
about him even when he becomes cocky or too daring. I like to cast Kassandra as the evil sibling, because she may be fine as the main, good heroine, but as a villain, she is
compelling. She is an extremely fearsome, terrifying, lethal and
blood-thirsty killing machine, highly intelligent but brainwashed to the
point where she becomes marginally paranoid with a god syndrome, and
all this is intensified even more when you get the bad endings - plus certain dramatic segments become even more chilling with her as the villain. Evil Kassandra feels as if, deep down, knows very well what is going on around her and is conscious of how scary and threatening she can be. Whereas Alexios as the antagonist comes off as an angry misguided boy who may lose his temper all of a sudden even without an obvious reason. For others, it may be the other way around. I guess it comes down to how players view their heroes, and in the end of day, this is how RPG games like <i>Odyssey </i>are supposed to work - and this is exactly their greatest charm.<br />
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The story takes place during the Peloponnesian War in Ancient Greece and, apart from the main plot, there are numerous missions and side-missions, mandatory and optional conquest battles, riddles, puzzles, mysterious quests and prolific questlines. As part of the main game, there are two additional long plotlines complementary to the core story - one where you can hunt and kill the members of the Cult who are responsible for the separation (and potential demise) of your family, and one where you find a truth about your past and subsequently discover the key to Atlantis. The latter is actually a path that unlocks <i>Fate of Atlantis</i>, an extra three-episode story. The game features the player choice system - for the first time, if I
am not mistaken, in an Assassin's Creed game, opening up different
conclusions and endings to both the main story and some of the side
quests, depending on your decisions. The game alone comes with nine (!)
different endings, and some of them depend on choices you may have made
as early as in the second chapter of the story. <br />
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<i>Odyssey</i> pays tribute to the beautiful landscapes of Greece, the
forests, shorelines, blue skies and crystal waters, the sun-bathed
islands of the Aegean, the misty valleys of Peloponnese, the mystical
mountains of the central mainland. Wandering along the vast and adventure-filled environments is accompanied by beautiful music, and there is something to spot and something to look for in almost every nook and cranny. I recall bumping onto a fight between a bear and a wolf on a completely isolated hill in a dense forest while making my way on horseback from Lokris to Malis. Or a group of soldiers in the course of a bloody battle on a lone road in a stranded countryside. The Aipeia port at the very south of Peloponnese, drowned in mist, dark and ominous, prepares the ground as you make your way to the nearly fatal battle of Pylos. And the stunning Aegean islands, that look like they come out of a fairy tale, set the mood for the mesmerizing adventures that you are about to live there. Some are dramatic, some are funny, others are full of passion and love, some are mysterious, others are chilling and compelling.<br />
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But apart from its stunning visual beauty, the game highlights the power of the spirit of Ancient Greece, as one of the most crucial strategic plans towards the finale is shown to be conceived by philosophers, playwrights, historians and scientists. Alexios (or Kassandra, if you play as her) can also romance other people, in all combinations and possibilities, depending on how spicy and varied you want your story (and your character) to be. And it is interesting how the people involved in these seemingly random romance stories, sometimes may have some indirect connection to the main hero that is only revealed once you decide to flirt with them and thus get to know them better. Lykaon, the young doctor that you meet in Delphi, turns out to be the grandson of the Oracle who caused your family's tragedy, albeit against her will. And Thaletas, the proud young Spartan polemarch with whom you can have one of the deepest and most powerful romances on the Silver Islands, is the grandson of one of the 300 soldiers who fought in Thermopylai under the command of Leonidas, the hero's grandfather.<br />
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Myths are dominant, but there is also much realism and emotion. You can explore the numerous subplots in whichever order you want, as the side-missions are always available as soon as they become active, although some of them expire after a certain amount of hours has passed; but those are just complementary for gaining XP, money and items and I think they do appear again after a while. There is night and day alteration and weather changes, but you can shift to the time that you want by sitting down and meditating at any point. The game features the fast travel system, which allows you to visit any area whenever you wish, as long as it is unlocked and synchronized. That said, the synchronization process offers some panoramic views that are breathtaking, to say the least. You can travel all over Greece whichever way you want, plus early on you become commander of a cool ship, which also serves as a safe haven. The naval battles that you fight on it are fantastic, and the sea looks amazing, especially whenever there is a storm. Those waves are seriously savage.<br />
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Several historical figures, like Perikles, Aspasia, Herodotos, Socrates, Hippokrates, Phidias, Alkibiades, Kleon, share an important part in the development of the plot. Alexios gets to know them, become friends or enemies with them, help them with tasks and they will offer their assistance in return. We also have the chance to fight legendary creatures, like the Medusa and the Minotaur, all connected with amazing storylines leading to them, and in the DLC we get to see mythical heroes like Persephone, Hades, Adonis, Poseidon, Perseus, Achilles and Agamemnon. The most prominent though is the Spartan general Brasidas, whose portrayal is one of the most fascinating, respectful and brilliant ones that have ever been made of a real person in a work of fiction. You can take my word on this, because it is my heritage, so trust me, I would be very judgy if it was otherwise. Brasidas makes the most epic entrance in the story, in an unforgettable
battle scene that looks like choreography, and, with his godlike physical presence and natural charm, easily becomes the
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His storyline runs through most of the main plot and a good deal of the
Underworld episode from the DLC, and his character affects the course of
events and the main hero's evolution in more than one ways. His
relationship with the lead character, if you take the right decisions,
is a beautiful, deeply touching tale of everlasting loyalty, caring love
and precious friendship. If you play as Alexios, like I did, you will
also get that extra spicy bromance. In fact it is worth playing with
Alexios if only to watch his intense bromance with Brasidas bloom progressively
as the story proceeds. Brasidas is a charismatic general who has a very pivotal role in the story, becoming Alexios's strongest ally and most trusted friend and war partner, which instantly makes him Kassandra's worst enemy and red rag. On two occasions, Kassandra attacks him directly with extreme violence during decisive battles of critical importance, specifically aiming to get him out of the way with a clearly personal motive, and not only because certain members of the Cult want him dead. The writers of the game's story have done a great job in perfectly blending historical facts and fiction, with fiction adding those details that spice things up while at the same time respecting history. Historical events like the accusation of the Spartan king Pausanias of treason or the death of Brasidas in Amphipolis are cleverly linked to the lethal underground activities of the Cult. Similarly, the story highlights the difference between the way Spartans and Athenians viewed war: there are two optional tasks that the main hero can carry, assigned to him or her by an Athenian and a Spartan general. It is interesting to notice how, when you meet them, the Athenian Demosthenes appears as a lover of intellect and arts, who resorts to battle because he knows there is no other solution and he happens to be skilled with a sword; while the Spartan Lysander is openly aggressive and bloodthirsty. Brasidas is an exception though, resorting to violence only when every other option has failed, and although he is a great warrior, relies much more on his brain.<br />
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The <i>Fate of Atlantis</i> is divided in three episodes with the first taking place in Elysium where Alexios, besides his main goal, which is to find and enter the Underworld, meets Adonis and accepts to help him organize a revolution against Perspehone's reign. Persephone has created an idyllic Paradise, but what she does is keep people imprisoned there in order to maintain her illusion of power, desperately wanting to make Adonis love her. Adonis wants to escape and go find his true love who once was Aphrodite, but in the process things take a twist and nothing remains the same, both for him and Alexios (aka, love is in the air). In the second episode, Alexios arrives in the Underworld where he is called to face ghosts from the past, related to good memories as well as unhappy ones, and he comes face to face with Hades and his weird tricks. In the last episode, he unlocks Atlantis and learns that he is doomed to decide upon its fate. The episodes are very distinctive; Elysium is full of colors, flowers and mythical aura, the Underworld is a dim, stagnant place with a still, gloomy sun, and Atlantis is a realm of harmony and bliss. It is interesting, however, how the Underworld feels far more friendly, because it is exactly what it seems; while Elysium and Atlantis hide so much darkness and corruption below their sunny surface.<br />
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Persephone and Hades are by far my favorite villains, from both the main game and the DLC. There is something tragic about Persephone's spite, caused by her unrequited love for Adonis, that made me feel compassion for her, not to mention the absolute cuteness that is her war provisions, which are stacks of flowers. And there are times where the otherwise terrifying Hades, pale, cold and imposing, appears as a lonely, desperate man who is unable to handle eternity on his own, so he somehow has to entertain this endlessness, even if this means he has no second thoughts about tormenting the residents of his realm. Regardless, you may notice that he does feel sympathy and tenderness towards them, albeit he admittedly shows it in a rather peculiar way, seeing how he treats Brasidas and Alexios - well, at least before he gets furious at the latter and unleashes his plutonic rage on him.</div>
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In the progression of the main story, we learn at some point that Nikolaos is not Alexios's real father, so our brave hero starts a quest to find his roots (this is not directly connected to the core plotline, and you can go for that long mission even after the end).
Certain locations that you visit during said quest, in connection to
specific myths related to those places and the fact that the protagonist
and the antagonist are brother and sister, warriors with
divine heritage, made me form a certain theory, which felt very logical
and obvious at the time, but was rebutted when the actual revelation
happened. I felt slightly disappointed for a moment, despite the fact that the real father was the legendary Pythagoras himself, I confess that. But
after completing the main story and having a more all-round impression,
I partly changed my mind. Because the developers did something
ingenious, they connected the roots of civilization to volcanic energy
and mathematics. I love how they depicted the volcanic islands as forges
of the world and sacred, isolated places that continuously give life to
everything by just being there as constant sources of energy and
power. </div>
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Where the game loses a bit is in the present day segments. I know this is how all the games in the Assassin's Creed series work - there is a modern day story and a story from the past that at some point connect. I can't speak for the previous games, but in <i>Odyssey </i>the modern day parts are generally bland - to put it gently; the action is dull, flat and inconsistent and Lyla, the playable character, is so boring and unlikable it hurts. The part she is supposed to have in the story is anything but convincing and she looks and acts like a decal. Although even a decal is definitely much more lively. In short, Lyla is a modern day Assassin and she was apparently chosen by the Isu (the ancient civilization that holds the secrets to the creation of the subsequent word, which is a constant in the Assassin's Creed saga) to inherit an important artifact that Alexios (or Kassandra) owns as its keeper after a certain point. Sounds promising enough, and indeed it had all the potential, but it is far from being so, mainly because the supposed heir is so godawful. Lyla is tedious, sluggish, unoriginal, silly, lifeless, and the list could go on forever. It is impossible to believe that of all Assassins, she was the one chosen to be the Heir of Memories, as is her (definitely not deserving) title. I guess the Isu were drunk while picking the next keeper of the artifact. Or Alexios got impatient and demanded a quick replacement otherwise he would bring havoc, so the Isu panicked and picked the first random person that they found. These are the only two legit reasons that I accept for having Lyla "inherit" the artifact.<br />
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Well maybe all this wouldn't have felt so bad if the main story wasn't so terrific. The (thankfully very few and rather brief) parts where the plot switches to modern day feel like crashing on rocks after an amazing ride. Or, you know those stand-alone carousel-like devices where you put a coin in and they start swinging while playing a song. Sometimes, the device breaks or something goes wrong and the music suddenly falls short and distorts before fading away bluntly. This is how it feels every time that you are forced to part with Alexios (or Kassandra) and bear with Lyla for a few torturing minutes. I wish in New Game Plus there was an option to skip the modern day segments altogether and just enjoy the fantastic <i>Odyssey </i>story as a standalone adventure. It is so cruel having to go through the punishment that is Lyla's part every time that you want to unlock the Atlantis episodes. And it's a shame because some parts are really nice (like exploring the tombs to find the three symbols), but they are ruined because you have to bear with Lyla running around like a poor excuse for a poor man's Lara Croft; not to mention the way her arms are hanging from her shoulders like convicts and the impossible boulder-like stomping sound of her footsteps. Even <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ld9yZLL.jpg">the Monger</a> has more charm. The good thing, however, about this kind of games, is that they leave
you free to focus on those elements of the plot that interest you
mostly. So I completely eliminated from my mind all the present day
babble and just kept the amazing story of the past. To put it plainly,
for me Lyla's segments don't even exist. Every time that I have to go
through them in a playthrough, I quick-pass the dialogues and skip the
cutscenes pushing those buttons in rage. I wish there was a way to have the terrifying Medusa turn Lyla into stone once and for all, like she does with poor Bryce in one of the most emotional questlines of the game. Or even better: bring Bryce back to life and petrify Lyla instead. Bryce is adorable and it is so sad to see her die like this. On the other hand, it won't make any difference at all if Lyla suddenly becomes a rock. She may even get a bit more interesting.</div>
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That said, Bryce's appearance is rather short but it is among the most memorable ones. The end of her tragic story affects Alexios very much, as he can be seen silently mourning for her death. She is one of those characters with whom he could have gotten along really well; it is not random that later on during a short quest he refers to her as his friend, even though she is already gone and he didn't have the chance to get to know her better. But he obviously felt compassion for her and her lost love, and her story touched him deeply. Despite his tough line of work, which often requires from him to be merciless, he has this pure, charming personality which makes him instantly likeable and this is why he is able to form strong and lasting friendships, like with Brasidas; or Barnabas, the captain of the ship he commands, and Herodotos, the famed historian.<br />
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The devil is in the details, though; having a good character as a base doesn't mean that your hero will lack natural human weaknesses or even traits that are not so positive. The choices system allows you to determine those distinct characteristics that will highlight your hero's goodness or a little evilness that they may hide within. So my Alexios is mostly kind, brave and good-hearted, but he is also manipulative, vindictive and intimidating. He is a loyal friend and supports his buddies unconditionally, but
hates persistent people, flattery and whimpering. Growing up on his own
made him a bit heartless at times, and he even chooses friendship over
family on a certain given occasion. Even so, I didn't expect to get a bad ending, and it was a bit shocking when I watched it kicking in. This
made my Alexios even more angry and he became marginally ruthless, not
being afraid to speak the truth even if it would hurt others, or
threaten people (and ghosts) to protect his loved ones. He is of course a gay icon because I never miss the chance for fan service and eye candy when its offered so generously; he is occasionally horny, has a thing for handsome guys, flirts with them and seduces them on any given occasion, and he comes as close to finding true love as possible (because generally the game has a tendency to condemn your love affairs to doom). My version of his love story with Thaletas on the Silver Islands is one of the most romantic and sweet I have ever watched on screen. </div>
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The choices and consequences system works pretty well overall, although a few inconsistencies may appear. But unless it's something game-breaking, it doesn't really matter much. What matters is that the writers have payed attention to detail concerning the possible decisions and outcomes, and many times seemingly obvious choices may not lead to a desired conclusion. The most critical choices, that have to do with the outcome of the main story, run throughout the progression of the plot, so you have to be very cautious about what you say to certain people and how you react, because you may trigger very unpleasant situations. Sometimes you may need to resort to extreme means to achieve your goal. For instance, if you want to ensure that Thaletas will keep you in his heart as the love of his life, with the promise to meet again someday when the war is over, you have to be cruel enough and make Kyra, your competition, fall to her death and then lie to him about it. It is not pleasant, because Kyra is one of the strongest and most interesting female characters in the game but, like Alexios says to Bryce, "love might be the end of us all; but it's a price worth paying". Well in this case someone else pays the price and meets her end. My Alexios was so evil that he slyly befriended her from the start and she was so naive that she thought he was flirting with her, while in reality he was preparing the ground for her elimination. Then he did everything to make her look bad while everyone thought that he was the epitomy of honesty and innocence. Poor Kyra shouldn't have messed with a warhorse like Alexios. When she is out of the picture, Alexios will sail Thaletas to Sparta on his ship (not shown, but mentioned) so chances are the two of them can be together at some point in the future. And if the tragic news of Kyra's death do reach him at some point, a long time will have passed, so there is no way he can accuse Alexios of anything, so they will be free to enjoy their love without obstacles. As you see, even as a good hero you can be quite Machiavellian. Evil Kassandra would have been so proud of her brother.<br />
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Similarly, you have to be careful with how you treat Brasidas, because he is a man who counts loyalty and trust very much, which means that if you make him a promise that you won't keep, he will hold it against you. As this may happen more than once, you shouldn't take it lightly. The best you can do is listen to him carefully always from the moment
that you meet him, do what he says and keep your promises to him, and
he will be your soulmate to eternity (literally). Otherwise he may pull a
Daniel Diaz, minus the tornado. It is interesting that when prompted to choose between his plan and that of Myrrine on a specific occasion, you may be tricked to follow the mother's plan so as to show your support to her, but Brasidas will not like it (Myrrine, on the other hand, will never get angry at you for not following her plan); not only he will be disappointed in you for not listening to him (and as it turns out, his plan is not only the wisest but also the most favorable for you), but the next time you meet him he will be heartbreakingly unhappy (to the point where I paused the game and desperately checked to see if I had a savegame before that misfortune happened, and finding none, I swore I would always obey him in my subsequent playthroughs, which I did) and, to add insult to injury, as if this isn't a stab in your heart already, when you reunite with him in the Underworld, he will be cold and bitter towards you at the start, and you will have to win him all over again. In fact dealing with Brasidas is more complicated even than attempting to bring your brainwashed evil sibling back to reason.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJofDVDeCD2PjaGDUeN_fdX-XY5ZyFvswU1zcmcoMK3Y7nQPfrYYBhp3SORCwTWsH0lhB6GRdkXF_4o3ajbXL241Rc3Y7uqkeXCHbNfxbKzJ6wgZ_an4yd5j5raPHKj64rpNRXe10JQ__/s1600/vlcsnap-2020-04-20-00h03m16s219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJofDVDeCD2PjaGDUeN_fdX-XY5ZyFvswU1zcmcoMK3Y7nQPfrYYBhp3SORCwTWsH0lhB6GRdkXF_4o3ajbXL241Rc3Y7uqkeXCHbNfxbKzJ6wgZ_an4yd5j5raPHKj64rpNRXe10JQ__/s640/vlcsnap-2020-04-20-00h03m16s219.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I confess that the more I play the game the more I am convinced that the writers of the story maybe wanted to make Brasidas one more romance option for the lead character, but decided against it for historical reasons. They did it with Alkibiades, but then Alkibiades was notorious for his promiscuous lifestyle. Regardless, Brasidas has such an uncanny chemistry with Alexios (and from what I've seen, same goes with Kassandra to a degree) that most of the times when they are together, it makes you feel it's the only thing missing. At some critical point in the Elysium episode of <i>Fate of Atlantis</i>, Persephone, in an attempt to weaken the power of the rebels around her, tries to convince Alexios to kill Leonidas, whom he had previously recruited for Adonis's cause. She sentimentally blackmails him, promising that if he does kill Leonidas, in return she will bring any of his departed beloved (sic) back to life. Your choices then are any of your family members that may have died in the main story, which is expected; Phoibe, a little girl who was your friend in Kephallonia, also expected, since she was like a kid sister for the main hero, therefore family as well; and Brasidas, which is quite strange: of course he was your dear friend, but Persephone seems to imply that Alexios considers him family, or maybe something more? Of course Persephone will never keep her promise, but the phraseology used in the respective dialogues has some interesting semiology. Even if you choose Brasidas, Persephone keeps referring to your "beloved dead", as if she knows something that we don't. I guess she does, indeed, because she's a goddess after all; and a rather smart one, for that matter. I plead guilty of always choosing Brasidas, even if I have the chance to pick a family member. I did so the first time and I keep doing it, although I know he won't be revived. But he and Alexios look so happy whenever they see each other, exchanging such smitten looks of admiration and adoration, that even the thought of the two of them reuniting is worth the while. At least it helps make up for the lack of the romance part. Interestingly enough, Thaletas looks like a young Brasidas, and maybe this isn't exactly random.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8p2MBEdCb2l6HLfO-_yWLvywk6Ncgs-_5gtweCWCAUHMFmUyQWH9mAZzWhtE0_nYC-iPXjZCwAZD_tR2x08hrFmJntUI5iphyDZUa26ZYGcMBF-DTcVvB_jr7C3P9LkKbrTshNJKF_VS/s1600/20200418011844_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8p2MBEdCb2l6HLfO-_yWLvywk6Ncgs-_5gtweCWCAUHMFmUyQWH9mAZzWhtE0_nYC-iPXjZCwAZD_tR2x08hrFmJntUI5iphyDZUa26ZYGcMBF-DTcVvB_jr7C3P9LkKbrTshNJKF_VS/s640/20200418011844_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another fascinating aspect of the game is how it brings together ancient greek legends and connects them with each other, as well as with historical data. The myths of the Medusa, the Cyclops, the Minotaur and the Sphinx awaken gradually during their respective quests which, in turn, cross paths with the myth of Atlantis. After sealing Atlantis, Alexios confesses to Herodotos that this mythical place actually exists. Herodotos is fascinated, but Alexios warns him to never mention the discovery of Atlantis to anyone, much to the historian's dismay. Which is some sort of easter egg, as we know from the stories of the real-life Herodotos, who did include Atlantis in his narrations.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhfoN7a_7dU8fWrkOHPUKIuaSruwoaOOg4EDvYqjT5WLY_UcRr0Z79-K1aWm21qIxxY5CKen_DMpNY0kkP0XKRIX0OKfBhCghS9Ut0_RSTjE7ZoCSmY7sOAXCZlkuUjtMZK_4XtlFMksH/s1600/20200620184702_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhfoN7a_7dU8fWrkOHPUKIuaSruwoaOOg4EDvYqjT5WLY_UcRr0Z79-K1aWm21qIxxY5CKen_DMpNY0kkP0XKRIX0OKfBhCghS9Ut0_RSTjE7ZoCSmY7sOAXCZlkuUjtMZK_4XtlFMksH/s640/20200620184702_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But the presence of myths never ceases to be. During a secondary questline tasked by Daphne, a huntress who belongs to a cult protected by the goddess Artemis and lives on a solitary mountain top in Phokis, Alexios has to hunt down and kill several legendary beasts, some of which come straight from the mythic circle of Herakles. It is an optional mission, but notably one of the most difficult and challenging, as some of those creatures are extremely tough to kill. Following the steps of the legendary hero, Alexios must travel across Greece to locate the beasts and fight with them so as to bring their pelts back to Daphne, at the same time paying tribute to Herakles and his Labours.</div>
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hisbrokenbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13547486609110987342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343056760884207723.post-49475010661021625012020-03-14T06:21:00.001-07:002020-03-14T06:21:30.637-07:00Resident Evil Easter Eggs in Life Is Strange 2 - Rules<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The second episode of<i> Life Is Strange 2</i> looks like it is an extended tribute to the Resident Evil saga. I don't know whether this is intentional or random (although I'm pretty sure that some of the references were included on purpose), but still it is very interesting to point out those elements that seem to connect <i>Rules</i> with <i>Resident Evil: Code Veronica</i> in particular. Additionally there are several other easter eggs that nod to more games of the saga, always in direct or indirect relation to <i>Code Veronica </i>and its references in <i>Rules</i>.</div>
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<b>The grandparents</b></div>
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Noticing something about Sean and Daniel's grandparents was what triggered my Resident Evil radar and then I started discovering all the other things. The grandparents are Claire and Stephen Reynolds, and as soon as I saw them together, it struck me.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1EPfUMlLao8SLbTNDV4HK4kYfGa7Ss1wJGAdKYk0Zvt2-erUFBvfDxDINUk-WFOA4bHrzTkbboFhwTB0LMjvyfeJoWXClnykSSuWbVbwmPDkcooOnNMl5tA0Dg4hVE2u1kQ31t83jZ0o/s1600/20190407185042_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1EPfUMlLao8SLbTNDV4HK4kYfGa7Ss1wJGAdKYk0Zvt2-erUFBvfDxDINUk-WFOA4bHrzTkbboFhwTB0LMjvyfeJoWXClnykSSuWbVbwmPDkcooOnNMl5tA0Dg4hVE2u1kQ31t83jZ0o/s640/20190407185042_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stephen and Claire are a loving couple</span></td></tr>
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I immediately thought about Claire Redfield and Steve Burnside from <i>Resident Evil: Code Veronica</i>, which is the game where they also met. They are way younger than the grandparents of course, but apart from the names, they have a few other things in common with them. Their hair color is similar - well, at least when Stephen actually had hair and Claire's wasn't white, as we can tell from<a href="https://i.imgur.com/xLZKVyF.jpg"> their wedding photo</a> that is found in their bedroom. They also have the same eye color - all four have blue eyes. Moreover, the grandparents' surname starts with RE, just like Claire's. RE also could reference the Resident Evil initials, often used as an abbreviation for the series. A long shot this last one, but it makes sense nonetheless.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnGCEQ9kOgtz94tFAUSF1UjchcvXZTYrqGjzIwVyl_6z6RZOGO4mVcej8iFFCOe43SafYDp5RPbKPm71LornmxflcIFSgw4ACpRXIs8L6fzgiJH4VonLdycHmjthFCxfL3tp3-lrGqwx3/s1600/SBDP08-294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnGCEQ9kOgtz94tFAUSF1UjchcvXZTYrqGjzIwVyl_6z6RZOGO4mVcej8iFFCOe43SafYDp5RPbKPm71LornmxflcIFSgw4ACpRXIs8L6fzgiJH4VonLdycHmjthFCxfL3tp3-lrGqwx3/s640/SBDP08-294.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Steve and Claire's romance tragically ended before it even had the chance to bloom</span></td></tr>
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<b>Captain Chris</b></div>
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In the same episode, we get to meet Daniel's future buddy, little Chris from the house next door. Chris has an impressive creative imagination and likes to think he has super powers, having adopted the secret identity of his own imaginary super hero, Captain Spirit.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0GNetKqT55OZ5Gv9KK05uKSQz13si8iDB1H3e77PhvqpkOOs-TEYOkuyOHPizcBaOhm5OeO7jTWpzRjQ8_yvheRj_9Ejgy0gFGp9o8A6YIe1nYeDLYo-yiQ1J8QhhvOdRHkygKa180p_/s1600/20200306220247_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0GNetKqT55OZ5Gv9KK05uKSQz13si8iDB1H3e77PhvqpkOOs-TEYOkuyOHPizcBaOhm5OeO7jTWpzRjQ8_yvheRj_9Ejgy0gFGp9o8A6YIe1nYeDLYo-yiQ1J8QhhvOdRHkygKa180p_/s640/20200306220247_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chris is a Captain in his own merit</span></td></tr>
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Claire's brother in the Resident Evil games is named Chris; and in <i>Resident Evil 6</i>, he is the Captain of his team. He also makes an appearance in<i> Code Veronica</i>, alongside his sister Claire and Steve.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9Sb47NRgcfEHWVqn-7Biz9jJDsiGAj5_TG2LwqeFT-FueQUW-yYai33ysqOSzRyHNeTdOiPHpov5DMDI0sdPhNyVe8VVp9yES41Rrmzr1IIE5JF_v_Wwp_5wvrA1l8YJV0muCJT9R0vm/s1600/vlcsnap-2020-03-11-22h16m44s670.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9Sb47NRgcfEHWVqn-7Biz9jJDsiGAj5_TG2LwqeFT-FueQUW-yYai33ysqOSzRyHNeTdOiPHpov5DMDI0sdPhNyVe8VVp9yES41Rrmzr1IIE5JF_v_Wwp_5wvrA1l8YJV0muCJT9R0vm/s640/vlcsnap-2020-03-11-22h16m44s670.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Captain Chris Redfield could sometimes use a little help from Captain Spirit Chris</span></td></tr>
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<b>Raccoons</b></div>
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In his sketchbook, where he likes to depict people as animals, Sean draws Chris as a raccoon.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTQFcIGwAv4Mm1oOsoGcrQ6qiyVf0rNMuH0rXwlj7m7C4SrAAIOr3qEl_Nm-Qaw1rQBzvvh0vYxfIoqSfaVtowh-rSh630oMWle_fzlf7WPTEu6KykYc-2NgOgybjcTxB6JzogrxwDFPQ/s1600/20190509211447_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTQFcIGwAv4Mm1oOsoGcrQ6qiyVf0rNMuH0rXwlj7m7C4SrAAIOr3qEl_Nm-Qaw1rQBzvvh0vYxfIoqSfaVtowh-rSh630oMWle_fzlf7WPTEu6KykYc-2NgOgybjcTxB6JzogrxwDFPQ/s640/20190509211447_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chris is the raccoon and Daniel is the little wolf</span></td></tr>
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One of the most memorable Resident Evil games is <i>Resident Evil 2</i>, which takes place in Raccoon City; one of the main protagonists there is Claire, who is looking for her brother, Chris. Chris Redfield was an elite cop in the Raccoon City police department during that time.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1RJvYLjV51Obw6bVD0dW3c-5kXdAjhuH2pEBkMCGiQrWDPxYzv_wQTAqRStX2nrbm-ksRi6bVeCxPNG_fRMibiwYcYbv2z9bejW9IZz8qXGYM9GgOU9QR7wQ5ZUSvYL-DooBQZjTRzM3/s1600/20200312220000_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1RJvYLjV51Obw6bVD0dW3c-5kXdAjhuH2pEBkMCGiQrWDPxYzv_wQTAqRStX2nrbm-ksRi6bVeCxPNG_fRMibiwYcYbv2z9bejW9IZz8qXGYM9GgOU9QR7wQ5ZUSvYL-DooBQZjTRzM3/s640/20200312220000_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chris Redfield has the Raccoon police badge on his sleeve</span></td></tr>
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Moreover, if
you take the time to explore the Reynolds house, Sean can find a paper
with Claire's drawings on the table where Daniel is studying (obviously
Sean's talent is a hereditary gift). One of her sketches depicts a
raccoon.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgNWpF7S0N9zb3XY9MCbdmUscI59sCpa15e_YOQMaBPD8aT0RGsly9aqaMrHuakLj4zbePF8zO_uDhvdZzUQQZyml1ENKQlEe5z2aV-5bmE6PcSzPwpMrRCGlvBS2pdcW4Yd3ClpXRwz6/s1600/vlcsnap-2020-01-20-17h16m13s532.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgNWpF7S0N9zb3XY9MCbdmUscI59sCpa15e_YOQMaBPD8aT0RGsly9aqaMrHuakLj4zbePF8zO_uDhvdZzUQQZyml1ENKQlEe5z2aV-5bmE6PcSzPwpMrRCGlvBS2pdcW4Yd3ClpXRwz6/s640/vlcsnap-2020-01-20-17h16m13s532.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Claire has drawn a raccoon among other things</span></td></tr>
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Claire Redfield's first appearance in the Resident Evil world was in <i>Resident Evil 2</i>, during the Raccoon City outbreak.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNk9CvFN5HyTd4vELprFzAmMtpw6N8wcNnTcmPPNmZKtwtplfmcxJfg3dzXVWWhva44pL7W2HJ9i1nSdLQBNy7uAvOXfww0i7LXaDr1JjEUNvSALkPN_OnOlvP2MUrlNxLgVP42QoAjoU/s1600/20200312034319_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNk9CvFN5HyTd4vELprFzAmMtpw6N8wcNnTcmPPNmZKtwtplfmcxJfg3dzXVWWhva44pL7W2HJ9i1nSdLQBNy7uAvOXfww0i7LXaDr1JjEUNvSALkPN_OnOlvP2MUrlNxLgVP42QoAjoU/s640/20200312034319_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Claire Redfield arrives at the ominously dark Raccoon City</span></td></tr>
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<b>Zombies</b></div>
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While in the Christmas market, Sean has the chance to sit down and draw. As he does so, Chris shows up and asks him to add something cool in his sketch. One of the options for Sean then is to draw zombies for Chris.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1uAwKdSsOoEmF-VNqFqMxCWhr50jXfXiSb3lrhgC1elv6ZUGKHAG8gLrYtbl4QEYrnUkxit8W8YTmj7oSBc9fAaWsRWg3ZgXz1wkkHuDxrjYJ20i-a00AbZLOdCU_LIVdHONhCwnXaRL/s1600/20200113014833_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1uAwKdSsOoEmF-VNqFqMxCWhr50jXfXiSb3lrhgC1elv6ZUGKHAG8gLrYtbl4QEYrnUkxit8W8YTmj7oSBc9fAaWsRWg3ZgXz1wkkHuDxrjYJ20i-a00AbZLOdCU_LIVdHONhCwnXaRL/s640/20200113014833_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A zombie attack on Beaver Creek</span></td></tr>
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Zombies are a standard enemy in the Resident Evil world, and wherever Chris Redfield is, there are naturally zombies.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0f9KSWQ7RafOKW8lz6-CZjHROy5ngzyZcRnHj3PgQXXM2Kkr45pCOoIFSPSLGEa5p-9T2aN-WExPJg2p8O8gm0E-aggdtwdQ17J-_wlSN8jOFZrr_J0BIQXlBtA2up2Ui6LlEls6_7UE6/s1600/2015-12-23_00003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0f9KSWQ7RafOKW8lz6-CZjHROy5ngzyZcRnHj3PgQXXM2Kkr45pCOoIFSPSLGEa5p-9T2aN-WExPJg2p8O8gm0E-aggdtwdQ17J-_wlSN8jOFZrr_J0BIQXlBtA2up2Ui6LlEls6_7UE6/s640/2015-12-23_00003.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chris Redfield is always chased by zombies</span></td></tr>
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<b>All that snow</b></div>
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The whole episode 3 of <i>Life Is Strange 2 </i>takes place in the heart of winter, and there is snow and frost everywhere: from the secluded mountain where Sean and Daniel are hiding at the start to the quaint town of Beaver Creek where they find refuge for a short while.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9G_uLob28VzVj7ROObYnbPASwrfuAyh5EcERjtk1QOC9lR9hT8aVjOS4PTdfxmc4MRu_nVPyU7fFC4cZKLMTlW8WAwb4V6_WFUkGgT88xbeRHWWAQnLVDzosCRhNcZi4gJOnvuP7nf8b7/s1600/20190520162412_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9G_uLob28VzVj7ROObYnbPASwrfuAyh5EcERjtk1QOC9lR9hT8aVjOS4PTdfxmc4MRu_nVPyU7fFC4cZKLMTlW8WAwb4V6_WFUkGgT88xbeRHWWAQnLVDzosCRhNcZi4gJOnvuP7nf8b7/s640/20190520162412_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The snowy playground sets the mood in Beaver Creek</span></td></tr>
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You can never have enough snow in Antarctica, the place where the second part of <i>Code Veronica </i>takes place after the plane that Steve and Claire are driving crashes there. It is also the place where Chris and Claire reunite.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL96sjISHFUWJxtNX3mi6k5Z8OEuOCqmSO7XTmRtHLfZ9-9LfQ_uFlOAu3FqL2CYBDcTK5rHrnvnUbc3Y0AF_bpI8rRLzqLMq8Az9yO1lpQgdUzJw-TWG53xrSNc3V8i04Fy-Ge011Uzsz/s1600/SBDP08-379.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL96sjISHFUWJxtNX3mi6k5Z8OEuOCqmSO7XTmRtHLfZ9-9LfQ_uFlOAu3FqL2CYBDcTK5rHrnvnUbc3Y0AF_bpI8rRLzqLMq8Az9yO1lpQgdUzJw-TWG53xrSNc3V8i04Fy-Ge011Uzsz/s640/SBDP08-379.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Steve is trying not to think about all that snow in Antarctica</span></td></tr>
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<b>The Christmas season</b></div>
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<i>Rules</i> takes place during the Christmas season and there is a festive atmosphere in the grandparents' house, and the town as well. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCqekkeVDHPFXRhgW9oWP0FoGBJJugR8gOovJZRQkXC79_nYQrm4_6s8wPmBOe3F3l6-21Dspj5ZPMsrsJwZqt8jrmEUzWrCH0tFUzlkIwjz5I6UuTT_U4zagz4OB8WV_VvBCLfKGCoAp/s1600/20200122014249_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCqekkeVDHPFXRhgW9oWP0FoGBJJugR8gOovJZRQkXC79_nYQrm4_6s8wPmBOe3F3l6-21Dspj5ZPMsrsJwZqt8jrmEUzWrCH0tFUzlkIwjz5I6UuTT_U4zagz4OB8WV_VvBCLfKGCoAp/s640/20200122014249_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Reynolds decorated their tree in time</span></td></tr>
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It is Christmas time in <i>Code Veronica</i> too (27 December marks the starting day of the events at Rockfort Island), although everyone is too busy trying to survive while killing zombies to get in the mood. Naturally there are no decorations, and the only reminder that we get about the season is while witnessing the villain Alfred Ashford's anticipation of the year to come.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzJzFF9UYdXMTDiqjgstzhR6G0PSbqKejEn4WeO97us2MA3xXacn4UnzRU_OxPIAkvoTjbmTQpsKs44Jfur9m2WSbEuov4eRrNYXh_m-mR3dHZBU1K3KPjPrhskxFdF9CfGOVKRarzNYK/s1600/SBDP08-144.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzJzFF9UYdXMTDiqjgstzhR6G0PSbqKejEn4WeO97us2MA3xXacn4UnzRU_OxPIAkvoTjbmTQpsKs44Jfur9m2WSbEuov4eRrNYXh_m-mR3dHZBU1K3KPjPrhskxFdF9CfGOVKRarzNYK/s640/SBDP08-144.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christmas is just a date in Rockfort Island</span></td></tr>
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<b>The hunting trophies</b></div>
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There are a few hunting trophies on the high walls of the Reynolds, specifically a deer head and a moose head.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtY4vW2WgUCP6YGYuNEY_C-cbhSSqp3LxgLXFtVouUn0-ZE9HFozZaKMg0sXp3x34a2xFU0R1VdeRm7Chr9KKuPYRicTiEgjn4RYn9Ey6s2_UiTmMxTMA5Xw2M5smfJfzCCk-pCWJTzzyE/s1600/20200127010102_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtY4vW2WgUCP6YGYuNEY_C-cbhSSqp3LxgLXFtVouUn0-ZE9HFozZaKMg0sXp3x34a2xFU0R1VdeRm7Chr9KKuPYRicTiEgjn4RYn9Ey6s2_UiTmMxTMA5Xw2M5smfJfzCCk-pCWJTzzyE/s640/20200127010102_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is a moose head in the living room</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkroLc8ot3BoDpJZiDBvJeMIzj-Q7OMnXAPV36QRc2U9iK57EUf4usOowXrcfrqWAPilOhKQcd5Ayrx_GUxGolDf6ZkafkdAyOSTteQ1Wk-jcHnEooPOG5g568a5g49su8C57JN67Ve2R3/s1600/20200127010112_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkroLc8ot3BoDpJZiDBvJeMIzj-Q7OMnXAPV36QRc2U9iK57EUf4usOowXrcfrqWAPilOhKQcd5Ayrx_GUxGolDf6ZkafkdAyOSTteQ1Wk-jcHnEooPOG5g568a5g49su8C57JN67Ve2R3/s640/20200127010112_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And a deer head next to the mezzanine</span></td></tr>
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Several hunting trophies can be seen in almost all Resident Evil games, the most popular ones being the deer and moose head trophies. You can see them <a href="https://www.strangedarkstories.com/2017/04/the-deer-head.html">here</a>.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdmc_WLTwuweZPH_ZcESyhLw6QKiFdp6Sm4yXtag9Uf2M66q5bPp8JYq8vrwTdmzQBe0Qmpn8nAJhUXWwPvCN1pH1LZhAbr-fTWlgwhS3JVV3P2pvdhwPxrFuy3FVpo99eCztbr07PmVl/s1600/2015-12-12_00002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdmc_WLTwuweZPH_ZcESyhLw6QKiFdp6Sm4yXtag9Uf2M66q5bPp8JYq8vrwTdmzQBe0Qmpn8nAJhUXWwPvCN1pH1LZhAbr-fTWlgwhS3JVV3P2pvdhwPxrFuy3FVpo99eCztbr07PmVl/s640/2015-12-12_00002.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A moose head decorates the Dean's office in Resident Evil 6</span></td></tr>
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<b>The guitar player</b><br />
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In the Christmas market, Sean meets Cassidy, one of the drifters that he will later befriend. Cassidy is an errant singer and plays the guitar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTK1Ep2_rsm45W5lj3i4pfgLdKuZnrohsmc_nDH2u-HFReLcue-O_5Fx7lzUaYR966grf3yj7H4Z0X5ePv3H6iyOSiuAjcLohUNnrQaNs4zIibevmKrbKygnVHTrNPnvlBDlqxi2bwsUDn/s1600/20200312032838_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTK1Ep2_rsm45W5lj3i4pfgLdKuZnrohsmc_nDH2u-HFReLcue-O_5Fx7lzUaYR966grf3yj7H4Z0X5ePv3H6iyOSiuAjcLohUNnrQaNs4zIibevmKrbKygnVHTrNPnvlBDlqxi2bwsUDn/s640/20200312032838_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cassidy plays the guitar and sings pretty well</span></td></tr>
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Chris, Claire's sister in the Resident Evil games, plays the guitar as a hobby. We never had the chance to see him in artistic action up to now, but there is an electric guitar at the side of his desk in the S.T.A.R.S. office at the Raccoon Police Department, as can be seen in <i>Resident Evil 2</i>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hShXieDjxVGGtIaTWcP4wFWZbLvzr55EWx8bgs8uC6859PzRmXvZUF-PhzSc0PwrpyX7mg4qZJQnMI5wbVoWIktQGpJKAK-A2Dcx31DB0pWSXFN53OYeV71aiiMoLvN8nIVKpDvI0P99/s1600/20200312035552_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hShXieDjxVGGtIaTWcP4wFWZbLvzr55EWx8bgs8uC6859PzRmXvZUF-PhzSc0PwrpyX7mg4qZJQnMI5wbVoWIktQGpJKAK-A2Dcx31DB0pWSXFN53OYeV71aiiMoLvN8nIVKpDvI0P99/s640/20200312035552_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chris likes to play the electric guitar in his free time</span></td></tr>
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<b>Finn</b></div>
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One of the most important characters in<i> Life Is Strange 2</i> makes his first appearance in Rules, and he is no other than Finn, the other drifter who will later become Sean's close friend. Finn's full name is Finnegan McNamara and he is obviously of Scottish heritage.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0CodVJPGTNJaRkYVInlCGLX4dlFvy6LnMyEfWnsWgwyWH5sWhfaKR8dCDwKSVC5JrJOBbKPL93DDSrPfHuQUjc3Kgder9VGCOm9XbvJveUbQBx0GBTZYORC6Gm_YBpQveKrG6-4j-C_o/s1600/20190406224503_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0CodVJPGTNJaRkYVInlCGLX4dlFvy6LnMyEfWnsWgwyWH5sWhfaKR8dCDwKSVC5JrJOBbKPL93DDSrPfHuQUjc3Kgder9VGCOm9XbvJveUbQBx0GBTZYORC6Gm_YBpQveKrG6-4j-C_o/s640/20190406224503_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finn McNamara is smart, handsome and charming</span></td></tr>
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In<i> Resident Evil 6</i>, one of Chris Redfield's soldiers is called Finn McAuley, sharing the same first name (or at least the abbreviation of it) and the same heritage with Finn from <i>Life Is Strange 2</i>; although he has neither his wit nor his looks.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwO3lLlkJi9bDSfYINveaX0vZktHP6qUArKFec9v6VeoVDFU0FonLd7jW4nw3FPfm800FGfng5N24PTLBsqkQqg4_CLcrE70fKgLVYKvbwTvEMusdQdfsSvlKbILKlHJv96pIBVCwNoM5S/s1600/20200312004801_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwO3lLlkJi9bDSfYINveaX0vZktHP6qUArKFec9v6VeoVDFU0FonLd7jW4nw3FPfm800FGfng5N24PTLBsqkQqg4_CLcrE70fKgLVYKvbwTvEMusdQdfsSvlKbILKlHJv96pIBVCwNoM5S/s640/20200312004801_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finn McAuley is naif, recreant and dull</span></td></tr>
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<i>The screenshots for Code Veronica were taken from The Darkside Chronicles - Game of Oblivion</i></div>
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<i>The screenshots for Resident Evil 2 were taken from Resident Evil 2 Remake</i></div>
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<i>The screenshots for Resident Evil 1 were taken from Resident Evil HD Remastered</i></div>
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