TrouserSnake
11 reviews liked by TrouserSnake
Spec Ops: The Line
2012
This review contains spoilers
you know what? fuck it. spec ops: the line is worth five stars and then some. for a long time i sat on the fence about it, and had it collecting dust, uncommentated, at 4.5 stars - no more.
the fact this game was shuffled out-of-sight by 2k games, that an attempt is being made to erase its existence from the public under dubious pretenses at worst, or that it's been dropped in a double-whammy of corporate greed and convenient timing at best, shows us that this game is just as sorely needed now as it was 12 years ago.
many like to do a little joking about its "look what i made you do"-narrative, but those people are unaware that this precise portrayal of leadership at the hands of a vague authority is part of the point. this is taking down not merely the modern military shooter alone, but the entirety of the military industrial complex and its implications. the game design here is a direct analogue of the military chain of command, and the way it attempts to dissuade individuals and society as a whole from seeking blame in the hands of the actor.
on february 25th 2024, united states airforce member aaron bushnell self-immolated rather than continuing to maintain part in the u.s. military's support of yet another genocide - a genocide funded and fueled by this global force for despicable violence, a genocide committed, in part, with white phosphorous used against a civilian population.
the timing is just a bit TOO on-the-nose. we are supposed to forget that the same thing fuels this propaganda as fuels the systematic dehumanisation and killing of several peoples in asia and africa. spec ops, unlike every single other "modern military shooter", didnt flinch, and didnt lie. and for that, it had to disappear.
this is the only game that had the guts to give the player a gun, and let them shoot at a peaceful civilian population - then stand there with the implications of their actions. no fade-out. no game over. only you and the simulacrum of a dead body.
from the river to the sea, palestine will be free.
the fact this game was shuffled out-of-sight by 2k games, that an attempt is being made to erase its existence from the public under dubious pretenses at worst, or that it's been dropped in a double-whammy of corporate greed and convenient timing at best, shows us that this game is just as sorely needed now as it was 12 years ago.
many like to do a little joking about its "look what i made you do"-narrative, but those people are unaware that this precise portrayal of leadership at the hands of a vague authority is part of the point. this is taking down not merely the modern military shooter alone, but the entirety of the military industrial complex and its implications. the game design here is a direct analogue of the military chain of command, and the way it attempts to dissuade individuals and society as a whole from seeking blame in the hands of the actor.
on february 25th 2024, united states airforce member aaron bushnell self-immolated rather than continuing to maintain part in the u.s. military's support of yet another genocide - a genocide funded and fueled by this global force for despicable violence, a genocide committed, in part, with white phosphorous used against a civilian population.
the timing is just a bit TOO on-the-nose. we are supposed to forget that the same thing fuels this propaganda as fuels the systematic dehumanisation and killing of several peoples in asia and africa. spec ops, unlike every single other "modern military shooter", didnt flinch, and didnt lie. and for that, it had to disappear.
this is the only game that had the guts to give the player a gun, and let them shoot at a peaceful civilian population - then stand there with the implications of their actions. no fade-out. no game over. only you and the simulacrum of a dead body.
from the river to the sea, palestine will be free.
ratings for each individual chapter
onikakushi: 9/10 (retroactively a 10 cause of tsumihoroboshi)
watanagashi: 9.5/10 (retroactively a 10 cause of meakashi)
tatarigoroshi: 10/10
himatsubushi: 9/10
meakashi: 11/10
tsumihoroboshi: 12/10
minagoroshi: 11/10
matsuribayashi: 10/10
one of the most profoundly empathetic, emotional, and beautiful pieces of art ever created. the earnest, genuine belief that everyone, no matter the sins accumulated in their lives, deserves redemption. that we need to strive to love, instead of hate. trust, instead of fear
the principle belief that happiness is a necessity
onikakushi: 9/10 (retroactively a 10 cause of tsumihoroboshi)
watanagashi: 9.5/10 (retroactively a 10 cause of meakashi)
tatarigoroshi: 10/10
himatsubushi: 9/10
meakashi: 11/10
tsumihoroboshi: 12/10
minagoroshi: 11/10
matsuribayashi: 10/10
one of the most profoundly empathetic, emotional, and beautiful pieces of art ever created. the earnest, genuine belief that everyone, no matter the sins accumulated in their lives, deserves redemption. that we need to strive to love, instead of hate. trust, instead of fear
the principle belief that happiness is a necessity
Honkai: Star Rail
2023
”oh wow I like Kafka a ton already, I hope I get her in my first roll” was what I thought after starting the game
>she isn’t even playable again after the tutorial
>Breaking Bad S5EP14 “Ozymandias” 10:39
Edit: Kafka is now out and I’ve opened this game for the first time in months… the dream has been completed, she came home on my first roll and I can now delete the game
>she isn’t even playable again after the tutorial
>Breaking Bad S5EP14 “Ozymandias” 10:39
Edit: Kafka is now out and I’ve opened this game for the first time in months… the dream has been completed, she came home on my first roll and I can now delete the game