Happy New Year from the Mushroom Kingdom

Another year draws to a close...and what a year it was. Time to end it on a high note with some concentrated nostalgia!

I'll be starting my marathon of Super Mario RPG at 2pm ET, and running until I finish, probably sometime tomorrow morning. Drop in and help us celebrate the end of the year, as well as my 2⁵th (nd?) birthday!

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Thursday Throne - Assassin's Creed II - Session 4

Before jumping into today's stuff, I wanna remind y'all that I'll be playing Super Mario RPG, beginning at 2pm ET on the 31st, and continuing until I beat the game, probably sometime Sunday morning. I had so much fun with last year's Chrono Trigger marathon that I think I'm going to have to make this a tradition, at least until I run out of suitable games. So please drop in and visit us on the stream as I say hello to being 32 and good riddance to 2016!

---

So much collecting! But there's certainly more motivation to find things than the flags in the first game.

Daniel's currently out of town, and won't be returning until later tonight. He might be back before the stream ends, but until then, May will be joining me to help me keep up with the chat.

Tune in tonight at 9pm ET as we continue Assassin's Creed!

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Thursday Throne - Assassin's Creed II - Session 3

IT'S-A ME, MARIO!

Yup, they did that.

Join us tonight at 9pm ET as we continue Assassin's Creed II!

In other news, I won't be here on Saturday, as DJ Mon's doing his Christmas special, but I'll be having my own special on New Year's Eve! I enjoyed my birthday marathon last year, so this year, I'll be marathonning Super Mario RPG. Wish me luck!


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Throne of Games - Saturday Morning RPG - Session 2

Inclement weather has led John & Melissa to withdraw tonight, so let's continue this game!

(Also, I think I was confused about what game vid recommended to me, I'm pretty sure it was something very different. I just got the title confused.)

Tune back in at 9pm ET for more Saturday Morning RPG!

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Early Throne Special - Saturday Morning RPG

Think like My Name Is Bruce, except with Saturday morning cartoons instead of zombies.

I think it was vid who recommended this game to me, so thank/blame him for my streaming it.

Join us today at 3pm ET as we begin Saturday Morning RPG!

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Thursday Throne - Assassin's Creed II - Session 2

New boss, same job. These guys seem a lot cooler, though. And the Animus looks a lot more comfortable.

Tune in tonight at 9pm ET as we continue Assassin's Creed II!

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Dynasty Warriors 8

It's basically Romance of the Three Kingdoms with a metal soundtrack, what can I really say about it?

Tune in tonight at 9pm ET as we begin Dynasty Warriors 8!

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Early Throne Special - Costume Quest: Grubbins On Ice

What, you think monsters exist only around Halloween?

Join us at 3pm ET as we continue the story of Costume Quest in Grubbins on Ice!

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Thursday Throne - Assassin's Creed II

I return!

My trip to Tucson wasn't quite as long as I'd expected, but it was fun, productive and lucrative! And now I'm back to start streaming again, returning to the story of Desmond Miles as he continues to discover how inextricably tied up in this conspiracy he is.

I did not choose this path...it was chosen for me. At first, I thought vengeance would be easy. For thirty years, I've lived in the shadows, visited death upon those who deserved it, and vanished like the wind. I don't know who started this conspiracy, but I know who will end it. My name is Ezio Auditore da Firenze. Like my father before, I am an assassin.

Desmond inhabits another assassin ancestor—this time, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, an Italian noble who takes up the mantle to fulfill his vendetta. Renaissance Italy is the setting this time, and it's full of adaVinciures!

...okay, that was a stretch. I apologize.

But join us anyway tonight at 9pm ET as we begin Assassin's Creed II!

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Early Throne Special - From Dust - Session 4

So, next Wednesday, I'll be going out of town, and I'll be gone for a month or so. I'll be without my computer, and also without my own transportation. My ability to stream isn't guaranteed to be gone, but I can't promise I'll be able to do it consistently, either. I will, of course, post here whenever I'm going to be on.

---

This is my last stream before I depart. Here's hoping I can beat this game! I think I'm kinda close...I can probably do it. Maybe.

Join us at 3pm ET for more From Dust!

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Thursday Throne - From Dust - Session 3

Giant cacti and plants that produce fire! And explosions!

From Dust continues at 9pm ET!

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Hatoful Boyfriend - The Creepy Partridge

Hatoful Boyfriend, tonight at 9pm ET.

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Early Throne Special - From Dust - Session 2

Okay, so I try not to spread a game across too many different slots, but I'm gonna make an exception for this one — partly because I wanna finish it before I leave, and partly because I don't wanna start something else before I leave. And while it is, by all reports, a short game, the way I approached that volcano problem makes me think I'm gonna skew waaaay above the curve on this.

So tune in at 3pm ET for more From Dust!

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Thursday Throne - From Dust

Last week was a horrible mass of technical difficulties. Transistor didn't work (due, it seems, to a recent video driver update — hopefully that'll get resolved eventually), so I tried to stream Final Fantasy XIV. Within ten minutes, I got disconnected and couldn't reconnect. So I switched over to Elite: Dangerous, thinking some CQC could make for exciting stream material. Apparently, though, nobody plays CQC anymore. So, yeah, just a big pile.

This week, I'm really tired, so I figured a game I could enjoy on low brain power was the ticket. A god game like From Dust seemed like just the ticket. It's been on my list for a long time, and this seems like as good an opportunity to cross it off as any.

(Also, I'd been planning to title a game this for years, so I'm a little bitter over that. But it looks really cool, so I'm totally willing to forgive it.)

Tune in tonight at 9pm ET for From Dust!

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Stone of Graves - Limbo

Limbo, 9pm ET.

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An Early Grave - Costume Quest - Session 2

We halted the Grubbins' operations in the neighborhood, and are trying to drive them out of the shopping mall. But they still have our sister...

Join us at 3pm ET as we continue Costume Quest!

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Thursday Throne - Transistor

We saw their faces. We know their names. We know what they're capable of. They'll find us again...they'll find you, and finish the job. Unless you find them first.

From Supergiant Studios, Transistor is a fusion of action-RPG and strategy, letting you plan out your attacks before executing them. It's also gorgeous in every measure.

Join us tonight at 8pm ET as we begin Transistor!

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An Early Grave - Alan Wake's American Nightmare - Session 2

Let's do the Time Warp again!

Tune in at 3pm ET for more of Alan Wake's American Nightmare!

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Thursday Throne - Jazzpunk

Alternate reality Cold War adventure comedy. I don't know much more about it than that, but I totally dig the theme and aesthetic.

Starting at 9pm ET, Jazzpunk!

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Stone of Graves - The Park

Horror game spin-off of one of my favorite MMOs, The Secret World! This is a haunted theme park in what is essentially Lovecraft's Innsmouth. Ghosts and fishmen, two great tastes that taste great together!

So join us at 9pm ET and get spooked out in The Park!

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An Early Grave - Costume Quest

It's Halloween...and all the candy is gone?! CRISIS!

Brendan and Mabry will be joining us to tackle this adorable Halloween-themed RPG from Double Fine.

Tune in at 3pm ET for Costume Quest!

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Thursday Throne - Assassin's Creed - Session 9

Last time, there was chaos in the streets of Acre, as it seemed like every guard in the city came across the fight I'd gotten in. There were dozens of corpses in one place, and it was a place I needed to be stealthy in. So that wasn't so great. But we eventually managed to take out that jerk who antagonized and then killed that poor monk, and then we moved on to Jerusalem and started gathering intel on our next target.

Join us tonight at 9pm ET as we continue wreaking havoc in the Levant in Assassin's Creed!

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Stone of Graves - Among the Sleep

Goodnight, hon...sweet dreams...

I love the concept of this game: a horror game where you play as a toddler. A person with an underdeveloped mind and overactive imagination, who doesn't completely understand the world he's in. The unknown is scary enough to an adult; the whole world must be terrifying to a small child.

Join us at 9pm ET as we begin Among the Sleep!

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An Early Grave - Alan Wake's American Nightmare

The man before you is a champion of light. He is part of a conflict between darkness and light that is both ancient and eternal. He is chasing a dangerous quarry, the Herald of Darkness, his evil doppelganger known only as Mr. Scratch.

American Nightmare is the actiony pseudo-sequel to the spooky thriller Alan Wake. Strikes me as an excellent selection for an October afternoon.

Join us at 3pm ET as we kick off the season's creepings!

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Holding Court - Mass Effect - Session 11

The Normandy is grounded. What do now?

Also, this is going to be my last stream for at least a week — I'm about to fly out to Seattle, and then roadtrip back. It'll be a fun trip!

Join me in just a few minutes (@2pm ET) as I continue Mass Effect!

[ Watch: Radio PSI | my channel ]
[ Talk: Thinstack | Starmen | IRC ]

Valkyria Chronicles - Session 10

Ancient superweapons mounted on absurdly large tanks! Woohoo!

Tune in tonight at 9pm ET for (probably) the conclusion of Valkyria Chronicles!

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Early Throne Special - FTL: Faster Than Light

Oh hey, so I hadn't announced this here before, I don't think; Saturdays are gonna be double-headers now! Gonna do one show in the early afternoon, and another in the evening at the regular time. Madness! Today...

We bring this out from time to time as a one-off, and there's two reasons we keep returning to it: it's really good, and we've never actually beaten it.

Join us at 3pm ET as we make another attempt at FTL: Faster Than Light!

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Holding Court - Mass Effect - Session 10

Got Wrex's family armor back! Also, wow, I feel overpowered right now, haha.

Join me at 2pm ET for more Mass Effect!

[ Watch: Radio PSI | my channel ]
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Thursday Throne - Assassin's Creed - Session 8

Y'know, playing through it again, I'm noticing how a lot of this game kind of blends together. Like, there's a general progressing feeling of unraveling a mystery, of finding a few answers and even more questions, but it doesn't leave a lot of remarkable milestones along the way.

Last time, we assassinated a man who claimed to be consolidating power in Acre for the purpose of establishing self-governance in the city — though that would likely have been a puppet council controlled by the Templars. Meanwhile, in the real world, Lucy confided that Abstergo was a Templar-operated company, and that while their goals were noble, their lack of ethics was terrifying.

Join us tonight at 9pm ET as we continue Assassin's Creed!

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Holding Court - Mass Effect - Session 9

Sidequests and exploration!

Join me at 2pm ET as I continue Mass Effect!

[ Watch: Radio PSI | my channel ]
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Holding Court - Mass Effect - Session 8

After yesterday's post, a scene came to mind of Joker standing and exclaiming, "Mein Kommandant, I can walk!"

We've come face-to-face with Saren. He's laid out his motives. He's deluded.

Also, Ashley died, oh noes.

Join me at 2pm ET for more Mass Effect!

[ Watch: Radio PSI | my channel ]
[ Talk: Thinstack | Starmen | IRC ]

Holding Court - Mass Effect - Session 7

Shepard...have you ever seen a geth drink a glass of water?

Join me today at 2pm ET (in about half an hour) as I continue Mass Effect!

[ Watch: Radio PSI | my channel ]
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Holding Court - Mass Effect - Session 6

I'm continuing to explore the galaxy, paying little heed to what the main story would have me do. I'll do it if it's on my way; the fate of all life can wait.

Join me at 2pm ET as I continue Mass Effect!

[ Watch: Radio PSI | my channel ]
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Final Fantasy II - Stuck Inside of Paramekia...

...with the Altea blues again.

Last time, we recovered Cid's airship, and flew it straight to Paramekia high in the mountains. But we'd only just gotten there when I had to sign off, and I couldn't leave! So I had to savestate.

Join us tonight at 9pm ET as we continue Final Fantasy II!

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Holding Court - Mass Effect - Session 5

Wow, people are racist in space.

Join me at 2pm ET as I continue Mass Effect!

[ Watch: Radio PSI | my channel ]
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Thursday Throne - Assassin's Creed - Session 7

It seems I spoke too soon about the villains with messianic villains — the merchant king only sought revenge for a perceived slight. Oh well, he's dealt with now. But always more people to kill.

Join us tonight at 9pm ET as we continue Assassin's Creed!

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Holding Court - Mass Effect - Session 4

Space is big, and I've only just begun to explore it. Also, I find it weird that, with the exception of the Citadel itself, there is nothing else on that side of the galaxy.

Join me at 2pm ET as I continue Mass Effect!

[ Watch: Radio PSI | my channel ]
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Holding Court - Mass Effect - Session 3

Unsurprisingly, the Council dismissed eyewitness testimony, being the only evidence available, against their top agent, Saren. However, we now have some actual hard evidence, brought to us by Tali'zorah, a young quarian on pligrimage. We have also been joined by Garrus, a C-SEC officer assigned to the investigation who felt there were still things left uncovered in the brief time he was given, and Wrex, a krogan mercenary with goals related to our own. Now, we continue to dig into this mystery ourselves, while the ambassador of humankind again petitions the council with our newfound proof of Saren's treachery.

Join me at 2pm ET as I continue Mass Effect!

[ Watch: Radio PSI | my channel ]
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Holding Court - Mass Effect - Session 2

So, yesterday got started quite a bit later than I'd intended, due to me discovering how many mods I wanted to install before I started. So now the game is really pretty and I can play it with a controller. Yay!

Also, since all that work is out of the way, I should be able to begin approximately on time today.

I'm currently exploring the Citadel and talking with everybody. That is an activity that will probably continue for a while.

Join me at 2pm ET for more Mass Effect!

[ Watch: Radio PSI | my channel ]
[ Talk: Thinstack | Starmen | IRC ]

Holding Court - Mass Effect

My sleep schedule is corrected, at least for the time being, meaning I can begin Holding Court once again!

So, when last I did, I tried to play Jade Empire, but the PC version was just so unstable, I couldn't play for very long without it crashing. But hey, I've got other BioWare games at my disposal! Enter Mass Effect, with the same damn story that every BioWare game has, only now in space and not Star Wars. I poke fun because I love, though — they manage to make something really enjoyable out of all their games, in spite of their mass of similarities.

So join me at 2pm ET (about half an hour from now, if you're that on-point with reading this blog) as I begin Mass Effect!

[ Watch: Radio PSI | my channel ]
[ Talk: Thinstack | Starmen | IRC ]

Valkyria Chronicles - Session 9

The enemy is down a Valkyria, who took down our worst general with her. The Marmotte is inbound, bearing Maximilian himself. Things are getting serious in Gallia.

Join us at 9pm ET for more Valkyria Chronicles!

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Thursday Throne - Assassin's Creed - Session 6

I-I killed a man...

Well, several, really. I mean, I'm an assassin, it's kind of in the job description.

It's interesting how many powerful people seem to have a messiah complex.

Join us tonight at 9pm ET as we continue Assassin's Creed!

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Final Fantasy II - It's a Twistah!

We got Ultima! And the Emperor got a tornado, and wrecked most of the world with it...

Tune in at 9pm ET as we continue Final Fantasy II!

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[ Talk: Thinstack | Starmen | IRC ]

Thursday Throne - Assassin's Creed - Session...Let's Call It 5

Alright, a little bit of newswise stuff first: as you may have noticed, I haven't been Holding Court this week. It's not cancelled, I'm still planning to play through stuff. Not Jade Empire, though, because it was too unstable to be playable. I am kinda feeling the BioWare, though, so maybe Mass Effect? We'll see.

Anyway, personal business, yadda yadda, it'll be back when it's back. Probably next week, but no guarantees.

---

O frabjous day, Caillou Calais~! The game actually seems to work again! Apparently, installing it fresh after the reformat avoided all the problems it was having before.

So, last time! ...I didn't really get any story progress done, heh. I returned to Masyaf after the job I completed aaaaages ago, flagging the next set of tasks, and then I just wandered around the Kingdom for a long time, trying to collect flags and kill Templars. Which I did, a lot! I'll probably actually proceed with story stuff tonight, though. Maybe derp around the city some first. We'll see.

Tune in tonight at 9pm ET as we continue Assassin's Creed!

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Final Fantasy II - The Tower's Not Really *That* Tall

It's been nearly five months since we last visited this game. And last time, we were plagued by horrible technical difficulties that pretty much prevented streaming from occurring at all — like, diagnostics said we were pulling 10kbps downstream, forget upstream. So we're still climbing the Ultima Tower!

Tune in tonight at 9pm ET as we return to Final Fantasy II!

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Holding Court - Jade Empire

It's Fantasy China, and you're a martial artist with a destiny.

I'm running a little behind right now, but I'll be starting in just a few minutes. Tune in for the beginning of Jade Empire!

[ Watch: Radio PSI | my channel ]
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Thursday Throne - Tales of Monkey Island - FINALE

It's time for the final chapter, Rise of the Pirate God! Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal, LeChuck! He has reabsorbed all of his dark voodoo powers, and is now poised to become more powerful than ever.

Join us tonight at 9pm ET for the thrilling conclusion of Tales of Monkey Island!

[ Watch: TwitchTV ]
[ Talk: Thinstack | Starmen | IRC ]

Holding Court - Batman: Arkham Asylum - Session 6

I'm getting a late start, but I wanna finish this game today, dangit!

I'll be starting as soon as I get everything set up, so tune on in for the conclusion of Batman: Arkham Asylum!

[ Watch: Radio PSI | my channel ]
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Holding Court - Batman: Arkham Asylum - Session 5

Now Ivy's got the TITAN. The island is covered in giant, killer plants. And we only have a little bit of antidote, because said plants wrecked the backup Batcave before the equipment could synthesize more.

Tune in at 2pm ET for more Batman: Arkham Asylum!

[ Watch: Radio PSI | my channel ]
[ Talk: Thinstack | Starmen | IRC ]

Holding Court - Batman: Arkham Asylum - Session 4

Well, I've fought the first successful results of Joker's TITAN project, who kept me busy long enough for him to escape. Now, I'm relying on Poison Ivy to help me work toward an antidote. Doesn't that sound like a great idea?

Join me in just a few minutes for more Batman: Arkham Asylum!

[ Watch: Radio PSI | my channel ]
[ Talk: Thinstack | Starmen | IRC ]