I've Moved Blogs!

You probably didn't expect this to show up in your feed . . . but yes, I've moved blogs! It may have come as a surprise, but I actually didn't decide to do this just out of the blue.

So if you wanna find out why I made the switch and what today's Music Monday song is, you can head on over to my new corner of the internet.

Click here to visit my new blog!

Will I keep this blog live? Yes, it'll be up and running for the foreseeable future! I want to maximize the time I give people who followed me here to see the announcement. There's always the possibility that I may take this down one day. But I don't think that'll happen any time soon--and that's subject to change, of course.

But anyway, I won't take up any more of your time here. I appreciate the support you've given me on The Steadfast Pen for these last four years. And I hope you'll enjoy my new blog just as much . . . if not more!

I'll see you there!

My Top 3DS Games of 2020

I enjoy gaming--and not the kind of enjoyment that's just, "Yeah, I like to game every now and then. I'm okay at it." No, I'm talking about the kind of enjoyment that gets passionate about gaming and loves to do it on a regular basis, even if I'm not always the best at it. (My sisters and some of my friends can attest to that fact.)

In fact, I enjoy it so much that I like to post about it whenever I get the opportunity, because it basically means I can fanboy about some of my favorite games. You may recall that last year, I went over my top 3DS games of 2019. My 2DS XL--which I love just as much now as I did back then--has this nifty little app that tracks what games you play, how long you play them in total, what your average play session time for each of them is, how frequently you play them, when you started them, and when you last played them. Being the nerd I am, this appeals to me a lot. I love being able to see all these details in one place, and I wish more systems did this type of thing.

As I mentioned last year, the app also allows me to look back on a day, week, month, or year to see what games I played then and ranks them according to playtime. That really makes this kind of thing super easy (barely an inconvenience) to do. Thus, I present to you . . . my top ten games of 2020 based on playtime! #6 will surprise you!

#10: Mario Kart 7 (3:37)

Everyone knows the Mario Kart series, but not everyone knows Mario Kart 7. I feel like it ended up being quite underrated, when this is probably one of the best racing games I've ever played. It added some really cool elements that I had never even thought of before: underwater segments on some tracks, gliding through the air in others, and--wait for it--vehicle customization! One element I forget about most of the time and then remember now and again is the ability to race in a first-person perspective. These things helped make this game stand out to me more than Mario Kart DS or Mario Kart Wii did.

One thing that I feel like people don't talk about much when it comes to this series is its music. Like, it's got some really cool soundtracks under its belt, and MK7 is no exception to that. I'm currently listening to it while I type out this game's segment of the post, and I'm just remembering how much of a bop it is. It does a lot to add to each track's individuality and unique vibe. Imagine playing these games with just some bland music in the background. I feel like they honestly wouldn't be as iconic as they are.

Why this game? I mean, when is Mario Kart not a good time? There definitely isn't any loud voices involved as you get hit by a blue or red shell, or take a corner badly, or lose the title of first place at the last second . . . right? But seriously, it's always a blast to play. I feel like at least part of the time I spent playing it last year was with Preston, which is pretty hilarious. And aside from some online multiplayer connection issues and a pretty trash battle system, Mario Kart 7 is gold.

#9: Animal Crossing: New Leaf (4:39)

If someone were to ask what one of the cutest game franchises out there was, I think Animal Crossing would be my instantaneous response. Just look at the picture I used and tell me that ain't cute as heck. If you do, you're lying to yourself. Animal Crossing is adorable, and I think my favorite entry is still New Leaf. There's just something about it that . . . resonated with me in a way that none of the other games have. I remember one time standing in line for a movie at the theater, and the girl ahead of me was playing it on her 3DS. I'm pretty sure I already knew that I wanted the game, but watching her play sealed the deal for me.

New Leaf just has so much going for it, honestly. The animation style is a definite plus, even if it doesn't look as graphically good as New Horizons. They changed how your character looks, which was needed. Being the mayor of the town was unexpected, but it put a nice twist on the tried-and-true selling points of the series. Having a main street with most shops there instead was a simple, albeit brilliant, idea. The music is probably some of the best in the series. The option to travel to a vacation island to play games by yourself or with friends was a really fun addition. Everything about this game is nothing short of perfection, in my books.

Why this game? Well, besides everything I've already listed, it's one of those games that gets me the most relaxed. I can't help but feel calm and at peace when I play. The atmosphere is just what I need some days. One of my biggest regrets of 2020 is that I didn't play it more often than I did. Like, the playtime is only enough for four to six sessions, which is not a lot at all. I need to play it more often this year!

#8: SteamWorld Dig (5:25)

SteamWorld is a gem of an indie series, and yes, that is a mining pun because that's what SteamWorld Dig is about. You play as Rusty, a steam-powered bot who's received a mine from his deceased uncle's will. The town above it, Tumbleton, seems nice enough, but something about the mine itself seems off. Monsters are waking up, and a presence is stirring in its depths. Rusty must investigate and find out what his uncle was searching for by digging tunnels and solving puzzles. But he may not like what he finds, and it may end up costing him more than the mine was worth . . .

I had started this game a while back and thought I'd gotten stuck, so I restarted it. I finally finished on my summer vacation with my family, and when I got into it, I couldn't get enough. I played through the rest of the game very quickly--though to be fair, it's not a long game to begin with. Two of the things I appreciate most are the music and the world. The OST is very distinctive and has a neat Western feel to it. Even though there are very few tracks in the game, I never got tired of them as I dug through the layers upon layers of earth. As for the world, it seems to have a lot of unspoken lore. There's a bit of a post-apocalyptic vibe to it, and you find empty robot shells among the dirt. And considering some of the enemies are humanoid, such as the one in the picture above . . . makes you wonder.

Why this game? It's a nice blend of being challenging and being rewarding. Having to figure out how to best dig so that you can have tunnels that are actually traversable while staving off enemies was fun. The part I probably enjoyed most was the final boss fight. It made the story even more interesting, and I can't wait until I finally play SteamWorld Dig 2, which is a direct sequel. At the end of the day, this was a game I didn't know I needed until I played it.

#7: Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 3DS (6:31)

Much like Mario Kart is one of the best racing franchises, Super Smash Bros. is the same when it comes to fighting series. The fourth entry, released for both the 3DS and Wii U, is my favorite that I've played so far--though I'm not sure if that's even fair, considering that I'm counting two separate editions as one and that I've only played Brawl before and not Ultimate. But I digress.

I think one of the biggest selling points of this game was that you could play Smash on the go. Obviously, now that we have Ultimate on the Switch and that the 3DS is no longer in production, that particular selling point is a bit moot. But at the time of its release, it would've been a huge factor. The new stages and characters, along with the old ones, make this title a solid release. Plus they put in a whack-ton of extra modes and stuff, so there's no shortage of things do. My main complaint is that, while the DLC is really cool, it's super expensive if you buy all of it, meaning you'll end up paying more for it than you did the actual game.

Why this game? Sometimes you're just in the mood for a more competitive game, and this would be a great choice to scratch that itch. What's also great about it is that it's fun whether you're flying solo or want to play something with friends. Fighting against Preston is a blast, because while we're both pretty good at the game, I tend to win more than him. (And that's rare when it comes to these types of games and I'm competing against him.) But I don't go into online mode expecting to win, because the people on there are super pro. Maybe one day I'll be just like them!

#6: Tomodachi Life (6:56)

Ah, Tomodachi Life. Such a fun, but goofy game. Like, this has got to be one of the weirdest games Nintendo has ever developed, right? And yet it works somehow, and it works really well. I don't know how crazy life simulation games get, as I don't play many; what I do know is that this one is crazy, and that's partially due to the fact that you're creating everyone that you want to live on your island. Would you like it if your favorite celebrity lived next door? Bam, done. What about that historical figure you really admire? Boom, not a problem. Heck, you want to add your real life crush in hopes that you two will end up dating in the game? Bang, not a problem!

Honestly, I don't play this one as much as I should. It's just so funny, even when some of the same stuff occurs often. My island--which I believe is called Paradise Island--is a weird mix of me and my sisters, Preston and Megan, Undertale characters, and other random people, like Santa and Jack Sparrow. (I really need to make some anime characters one of these days.) So many odd and random things have happened too, from me getting married to Princess Hilda from A Link Between Worlds, to Preston singing a song that I wrote about how bad he is at using the sheep weapon in the Worms games, to friends going out to the local café to talk about literally anything. It's great, not gonna lie.

Why this game? This is another game that's just fun and chill, although in a different way from New Leaf. Being able to make whoever you want so that they interact in the most amusing ways is honestly the best. Sure, this may not be a game that you play in long stretches at a time, but that doesn't negate the entertainment it provides. I remember when I first saw trailers for it, it looked so weird that I didn't even want to touch it. Watching DanTDM play it on his channel made me actually appreciate, and I don't regret purchasing it as one of my first games for my 2DS XL. (Also, was this a surprise to you? If not, then my clickbait worked--which was the whole point of my joke.)

#5: Kirby: Planet Robobot (12:10)

If you know me, you know that I adore the Kirby games. Like, to the point where I can't choose between The Legend of Zelda and Kirby as my favorite Nintendo franchise. I think my three favorite titles are Return to Dream Land, Triple Deluxe, and--you guessed it--Planet Robobot. What's there not to love about the cute pink puffball himself piloting mechs as he fights against an evil company who desires to terraform Planet Popstar into a mechanical nightmare? Doesn't get better than that!

One of the best aspects of the series is its level of difficulty, which tends to pretty low for the most part. The whole point is to have fun while offering a minimum amount of challenge, something that PR is no exception to. I really don't mind it, especially since it's not a boring level of easiness. Besides, the True Arena more than makes up for it, tending to be possibly one of the most difficult game modes Nintendo has ever created. I'm still stuck on PR's, to be honest. Another great aspect is the music. Kirby OSTs are so darn iconic; I can't get enough of them. They're a great mix of being peppy and upbeat to being intense and epic.

Why this game? I mean . . . I think I already gave a number of reasons without meaning to. I think most of what I would've played this year would be doing the Meta Knightmare mode, which is where you go through the entire game as Meta Knight, the masked swordsman who resembles Kirby. Considering that it heralds back to Kirby Super Star Ultra, my first ever Kirby game, you can bet it hits me right in the nostalgia. I've also been attempting to do the True Area, a great challenge that I've come so close to beating a few times. Fighting harder versions of bosses with tougher old moves and some new ones isn't as easy as it sounds--and it doesn't sound easy to begin with. The final boss (have I mentioned it's one of the best in the franchise?) is especially hard, because I'm not too good at figuring out the new moves. Perhaps 2021 will be the year where I win!

#4: SteamWorld Heist (13:33)

You can definitely tell that I got into the SteamWorld games this year. Heist takes place quite some time after Dig, because the world has exploded, leaving steambots to live on the vast frontier of space. Now the Red Queen and her Royalist army of dieselbots rule the galaxy, breaking the backs of the steambots they look down upon as the laborers search for relics from the old world. Captain Piper and her crew of smugglers are looking out for the common folk as they take down undead steambots that threaten moisture farms and the like, but soon she becomes entangled in something bigger than herself. She'll eventually go toe-to-toe with the queen herself as a familiar threat rises in the void of deep space . . .

As much as I loved Dig, I love Heist more. It's a turn-based strategy in which you board a ship with a goal that tends to evolve along the way. You might be looking to free some prisoners, steal some loot, or just cause mayhem among the enemy. Each ship you invade allows to pick a certain number of crewmates to complete the mission. I tend to stick to my favorites, and it's worked well for me so far. So while the game is pretty different from its predecessor, it's not entirely different. It still maintains a certain vibe that Dig had, and it still is an excellent blend of challenging and rewarding. Also, the OST is fire once again, creating the perfect mood for wherever you are. (The boss battle theme is one of my favorites.)

Why this game? I've never played anything quite like Heist, and it's been an absolute blast. I went through a season where I played it frequently, blazing through the first two regions. Last time I ended off, I was not too far into the third and final region, so I'd been hoping to finish it in 2020. Sadly, I didn't get much time to play it during my Christmas break, so it'll have to be a game I finish this year. I also just love the SteamWorld lore and worldbuilding and characters--it's nothing short of incredible.

#3: Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney (22:45)

An Ace Attorney title showing up on the list was something everyone probably expected, and I don't blame 'em. It is, after all, one of the greatest video game series in existence. What's this particular game all about? Well, it's the first trial for Apollo Justice, and he must defend Phoenix Wright in court, who has been disbarred for seven years--so there's a lot of pressure on Apollo. As the case unfolds, his mentor, Kristoph Gavin, turns on him, and he must carry on by himself. He winds up meeting Trucy, a magician who claims to be Phoenix's daughter. The two take on wild cases, but as they do, the mystery thickens ever more. What's the real connection between Nick and Trucy? Is the rockstar prosecutor, Klavier Gavin, hiding in any secrets? As a matter of fact, what about Kristoph? Everything will come together in a final showdown where nothing is as it seems . . .

Yes, I know this is technically a DS game and I'm writing a post about 3DS games. But I did play it on my 2DS, so that counts for something. Much like the very first Ace Attorney game, Apollo Justice took a little bit longer for me to get into, mostly because I had just played the graphically cleaner Ace Attorney Trilogy released for the 3DS. But when I got fully hooked, I played the heck out of it. While there was something a bit better about the previous three AA games, that by no means makes this entry bad. It was very good, and the last case was the best in how everything was tied together and concluded.

Why this game? I'm just a sucker for this series. If Capcom released them on the Switch, or localized a few games that haven't been yet, I would absolutely love that. Everything from the art style to the engaging plots to the unique characters to the fantastic soundtracks is perfection. Apollo Justice did not disappoint, and I look forward to playing the HD version that came out for the 3DS after the trilogy did. If you go through your life never experiencing these games, you'll be seriously missing out. Just saying.

#2: Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth (24:06)

Whoa, a second Ace Attorney title and DS game? No one expected that! The game starts off with Miles Edgeworth returning to the Prosecutors' Office building after traveling abroad, only to discover a deceased detective in his personal office. In hunting down the killer, he also uncovers that there's a smuggling ring tied to the murder. The game then backtracks to when he's coming home and and what happens along the way. He works alongside familiar faces, such as the loyal Detective Gumshoe and the whip-cracking Franziska von Karma. There are also newcomers like Kay Faraday, who claims to be the great thief known as the Yatagarsu, and Shi-Long Lang, an Interpol agent with aggressive methods. Together, they work to uncover what the smuggling ring is planning, but they may not like where the truth leads them . . .

Though Investigations changed up the formula quite a bit, I was hooked on it quite easily. It goes for a point-and-click style of game, which makes the investigation periods feel quite different from the rest of the series'. Then instead of court trials, you have arguments and rebuttals with witnesses wherever you are. On top of that, the plot is connected a bit differently than the other games have done, which adds to the different feel. And even though the sprite art during investigations might look older to some because of the more pixeled style, I found that it added to the game rather than detracting from it.

Why this game? It's a nice change of pace overall from the rest of the franchise, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The plot intrigued me the whole time, the music is fire, and it's about hecking Miles Edgeworth! He just so happens to be one of my favorite AA characters, so having a game all about him? Sign me up! Capcom clearly knew what the fans wanted, but it never was a cashgrab. It's a legitimately great game, and I have every intention of replaying it someday.

#1: Mario & Luigi: Dream Team (44:11)

Behold, my top game of 2020, which also happens to be the very first game I bought for my 2DS. (I actually got it before I even had the system, so that I was then "forced" to get one.) The story goes something like this: Mario and Luigi need a vacation. They're always saving the kingdom and its princess, but never get the chance to kick back. Well, their opportunity comes when Peach and the bros are invited to Pi'illo Island for a holiday. Upon their arrival, they meet up with Prince Dreambert, who pleads for them to help him wake up the rest of the Pi'illo folk. Cursed by the Bat King Antasma, they have been turned to stone. But when Bowser and Antasma team up to kidnap Peach and steal an artifact of power, it'll be multiple kingdoms that need saving--possibly the entire world. Are the heroes up to the task, or will their dream vacation become the worst nightmare?

The Mario & Luigi series is probably my favorite spinoff series in the extensive Mario franchise. They have a lot of great humor that's balanced out by the fact that these games tend to get a bit darker than the average Mario title. Battles are interesting and present a healthy challenge as you try to figure out enemy moves and how to counter them. Mario can also enter Luigi's dreams to access the Dream World, where Luigi can assist him crazy ways that fit perfectly with the location. The world is amazing, and I enjoyed visiting each locale, much like the other M&L titles I've played. This one also went for a new art style, and though I wasn't sure what to make of it when I saw trailers, I absolutely love it now.

Why this game? Obviously because it's Mario & Luigi, but also because it was a joy to play. I'd started it way back when I got my 2DS, and I didn't get far before dropping it for a couple of years. When I restarted it, it was truly love at first sight--but a second time. I really don't have any complaints about Dream Team; I think I'd even classify it as being as good as Bowser's Inside Story. Also, the music never ceases to amaze me because Yoko Shimomura composed it, and she has no right to be as talented as she is. To conclude: it's a vibrant, colorful game with a world that I'd love to live in and a plot that held me captive from start to finish. Finishing it on the night of the 31st was one of the best ways to end the year.

So now what? Do I have any gaming goals for 2021, specifically when it comes to my 2DS XL in this case? I do have some, yes, and they are:

• Definitely play more New Leaf, and play some more Tomodachi Life as well
• Finish the Ace Attorney series
• Complete Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam
• Beat The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past so that I can start playing A Link Between Worlds
• Restart Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia and hopefully finish it
• Finish SteamWorld Heist and beat Dig 2
• Finally beat True Arena in Kirby: Planet Robobot so that I can start playing Kirby's Epic Yarn
• Finish Yoshi's New Island
• Get around to completing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

I know, that's a lot to accomplish, possibly even too much. Guess we'll see where I'm at with these when 2022 rolls around!

I apologize if this ended up being a long, boring post, but I hope you liked it (especially since it took several hours to write)! Have you played any of these ten games? Do you know what some of your most-played games of 2020 were?

The Best of 2020

So . . . would you look at that. Today is the first day of 2021. 2020 is now behind us.

I think we can all agree that 2020 was not what any of us expected it would be. And I wouldn't be surprised if many people remembered it as, like, the year of COVID or something. Most will probably consider it a bad year--but was it really?

See, a year is just a year, right? It can be bad or good, but that all depends on how you look at it. That's not to say that, if you had to deal with some hardships this year, it doesn't count. If you did, I'm sorry that you had to experience those difficulties or trying times. I'm not trying to belittle your situations or demean you for having to go through them. However, as someone who also had stuff happen to him, I can say with confidence that 2020 was a good year overall. Different, for sure, but good nonetheless.

You see, it's all about focus. I'm choosing to focus on all the positive things that occurred last year, because it sets me up for a better 2021. Have you ever noticed that the people who are negative 24/7 always have negative things happen to them? And then when positive things do show up, they brush them aside for any number of reasons/excuses. Negativity begets more negativity, and the same is true for positivity. What you focus on, you amplify in your life.

Because I wanted to stay positive-focused, I decided to forego my usual Monthly HapPENings post today. After all, how different is it really going to be? I celebrated Christmas with my family, but didn't do much else. I finally finished (The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen), which was really, really good! I watched more movies at work and more anime at home. I played some games and didn't do any writing again. It probably would've been a boring post, and considering that November's didn't get any comments, I might have to look into revamping them or finding some way to make them more interesting while doing them less often.

ANYWAY. That was a bit of a rabbit trail. The point of today's post is that I want to share ten things that made 2020 a good year for me. I'm determined to start this year right, and I think this is one way to do just that.

1. I was still able to go to the city with my sisters for a hangout day in summer--not once, but twice. We've made it a yearly tradition for a while now that we'll go to the nearby city at least once in the summer to do whatever we feel like. In the last two years, we would take a surrey bike around a park, but that wasn't an option this time around. That doesn't mean we didn't have fun, though. The first time we went for burgers and milkshakes before perusing some Asian food stores and taking a nice, long walk in a park. The second time was when we went to Olive Garden for a supper of soup, salad, and breadsticks, took a shorter walk in a park (thanks to the overabundance of mosquitoes), and finished off with some fro-yo. I couldn't have asked for a better time with my sisters.

2. I did some more gaming on my own. I feel like I've gone through seasons of life in the past where I hardly get an opportunity to do any gaming, and I do notice. It was one of the best ways to get me relaxed and my mental health refreshed. Thanks to being at home a lot more often this year, I could start working more on my backlog of games--and trust me, it's quite the serious backlog. But I was thankful that I got more opportunities to do it, as it made for some very relaxing evenings. Which was needed with how work was this year.

3. I discovered Zoom. I had never heard of it before, and honestly, it was one of the greatest discoveries I made this year. You see, I had gotten the idea that it would be fun if Preston and I could watch movies or shows together, but we didn't know what to use to do that. We attempted screen sharing with Google Hangouts, as we used it for our chats, but it didn't work well. Before we could try Skype, I found out about Zoom, and it's worked like a charm. Preston and I began watching Attack on Titan together, and he is now as obsessed with anime as I am. We're now watching Ergo Proxy and Erased while we wait for S4 of AoT to be dubbed. My weekly hangouts with him have become even more of a highlight for me.

4. I've hung out with my sisters more, especially on Sundays. We practically have a Sunday routine at this point. We'll get up to watch the 9am online church service before eating breakfast, which has often been homemade cinnamon buns. Afterward, I'll watch a couple episodes of a show with my sisters. We used to watch stuff like The Flash and Once Upon a Time, but I'm so glad that we decided to ditch those shows and turn to anime instead--because honestly, it often tends to be leagues better. We convinced Tracey to watch Attack on Titan and My Hero Academia with us, and now we can all nerd out about them. It's been fantastic. Afterward, we'll go for a walk, sometimes to get a drink from a nearby café and sometimes just to stretch our legs. When we get back, we'll draw together at the table--though I sometimes do stuff on my laptop instead. Sundays have become even more of a favorite day in the week.

5. I decided to get subscriptions to Crunchyroll and Funimation. I figured I'd bring this up now, since I'm on the subject of anime. I'm not sure what exactly made me decide to try both streaming services. I do know that I came to the realization that there were a lot of anime that I wanted to watch, and not enough money to buy them all on DVD. I took the free trials on both sites, and the rest is history. I've watched so many amazing shows thanks to them: Tower of God, Ergo Proxy, Fire Force, Goblin Slayer, Bungo Stray Dogs, Erased, and Psycho-Pass (while also finishing Avatar: The Last Airbender and watching Ace Attorney on DVD). It's been another great way for me to just relax and enjoy myself. I definitely not regret getting the subscriptions.

6. I was still able to take a summer vacation with my family. Last year, we'd gone to a cozy lakefront cabin just a couple of hours away, and it was one of my favorite holidays that we've taken. We'd hoped to go again this year, and thankfully, it worked out. Sure, it was a bit different this time, as we couldn't eat in restaurants and had to order out instead. But it was still so much fun! I have nothing but fond memories of the time we spent together. I enjoyed every moment of it, and I look forward to whatever our next vacation will be.

7. I've begun developing my art skills. One of the best parts about the vacation is that I decided to attempt to improve my drawing. I used to just doodle weird people and monsters and whatnot. It never looked all that good, and if I attempted any serious drawing, it never worked out like I'd hoped. But while I was on my holiday, I figured it was time to try again. So I did, by sketching the antagonist from Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney. And it actually turned out . . .  not too shabby? My confidence grew, and so I continued drawing--going so far as to even do three sketches in one afternoon. My attempts grew less when we got back home, but then Inktober happened, and I chose to participate. Comparing my first piece to my latest one, I can see how much I've improved and (hopefully) I've begun to develop my own art style. You can expect an art post in the near future, by the way.

8. I gamed more often with Preston and Megan. In years past, our hangouts didn't happen quite as often, but it feels like we gamed nearly every week in 2020. I believe it started occurring more often when I got my gaming laptop (one of the other best things to happen last year). We started off by playing tons of Realm Royale. At one point, Megan and I were even competing to see who could nail a solo win first. She ended up getting that achievement, but I've had more solo wins than her since then. While we still play a lot of RR, we also ventured into Among Us, which always provides an interesting experience with every game. I'm so glad that I got to spend more time with them both, and I hope that our frequent gaming sessions continue in 2021.

9. I discovered that I'd let fear become normalized in my life. I know this is a subject I've talked about a lot lately, but that's because it's very important to me. God brought it to find several weeks ago while I was out delivering flyers for work, and it's stuck with me since. So often I've let stress creep into my life and been okay with it. But now I realize that all I was doing was letting fear run things for me, and I'm not going to take that anymore. I'm tired of letting it have such a huge effect on me. I decided that I was going to take back my life and live it in such a way that fear has no place. Since then, I feel like I've noticed a change. Not a big change yet, but a perceptible one. And I'm happy to keep that change going.

10. I have become closer to the people I deeply love. Throughout last year, many difficult things tugged at me. I wish those things had been different, sure. But I also realize now that they were turned around and were made for my good. One way that truth was revealed to me was through a different realization: that I had eight anchors in my life. Those anchors are my parents, my three sisters, and Preston and Megan, and Jesus. While my family was having a snack on Christmas Day, it truly hit me then, and I told them that I had no idea how I would've gotten through the year without those eight people. And then I started to cry--not because I was sad, but because I was thankful for them from the very depths of my heart, and because I loved them with every fiber within me. They are my closest friends and my greatest allies. With them, I am supported, encouraged, and blessed--and they are the main reason why I can say that 2020 was a good year.

To conclude: a day, a month, a year--even a life--does not have to be defined by the negative experiences. It is easy for God to turn those situations around and bring some good out of them, even if we may think it impossible. I challenge you to take a look at your 2020 and see where God has brought forth positive things despite negative circumstances. And as we march into 2021, let this question be on the forefront of our minds:

What will we choose to focus on?

Why I Like Camp NaNo and Dislike NaNo

So . . . this hasn't happened in a while. Seems all I post these days are Monthly HapPENings and Music Monday posts, and sometimes that gets tiring. I'm trying to write other, more interesting posts more often . . . but I've been saying that for a while, haven't I?

Anyway, this post (which might be a bit on the shorter side, and I hope that's all right) has been on my mind for a little while, and I figured now was the perfect time to share it. Disclaimer: any thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own, and you are free to think differently. This just comes from my experiences of participating in NaNo in 2018 and 2019, and the handful of times I've done Camp Nano.

In case you're not aware, let me briefly explain these events. NaNo--or rather, NaNoWriMo--is the abbreviated title for National Novel Writing Month. It takes place in November, where writers around the globe strive to add 50,000 words to their project, be it old or new, as 50k is the minimum word count for a novel. Camp NaNo operates a bit differently. Less popular and well-known than NaNo, it operates twice a year, in April and July. The biggest difference is that writers select their own goals, whether it's a word count, time limit, page count, or an editing goal. As I said, I've tried both, so these are some of my takeaways.

Why I Like Camp NaNo

1. You get to choose your own goal.

I know I've already mentioned that detail, but it's one of the biggest selling points for me personally. Everyone has different life circumstances, so being able to work around by choosing your target makes a huge difference in the overall experience. What I always preferred when doing Camp NaNo was a time goal, often 30 minutes a day. The number of words I pumped out varied, and there were some days that I didn't do as well--but at least I was still writing daily. After those 30 minutes, I could decide if I wanted to keep going, or stop there. Sometimes I would write for another 15 or 30 minutes, or even longer. Sometimes I called it quits there. The important thing was that I could keep my mental health up while still writing regularly.

2. It has a community vibe to it.

When I write, I love knowing that I have people cheering me on, encouraging me, giving me constructive feedback, and just being there for me. Camp is great for that. I shared an online cabin with a friend of mine, and we could support each other and keep ourselves positive. There's just this atmosphere of . . . understanding, maybe? Like, you chose a goal that was right for you, and you're celebrated for trying to reach it. And even if you don't hit it, it's okay. You did your best, and that's all that matters. It's like everyone is running alongside one another in a race, but some people's finish lines come sooner than others'. And there's nothing wrong with that; in fact, you're congratulated for doing what was best for you.

3. You end the month feeling good about yourself.

This probably crosses over into things I've already said, but whatever. When the month is over, and I look back on it, I feel positive about the progress I've made. I've written every day, I've made some good progress in my story, and I've managed to look after my mental health while I'm at it. Taking some time every day to be able to chill and just relax for a while is very important to me, so that's a huge bonus. I can end Camp saying it was a good experience, and if I ever feel up to it, I can challenge myself a bit more next time. Now, I don't necessarily think one even should write every single day, but it's nice to do it for a month and see the fruits of your labor afterward. Camp is just really positive overall.

Why I Dislike NaNo

1. Your goal is chosen for you.

So I understand that the appeal of NaNo is that you can actually manage to write a whole novel in a month . . . but is that really manageable? If you want to hit the goal of 50,000 words in a month, that means writing a minimum of 1,666 words per day. And if you don't hit that daily goal, suddenly each day becomes more and more daunting. Thing is, that type of goal isn't made for everyone. Some people work full-time jobs; for example, I work 8-4 at a job that can be quite mentally exhausting. Coming home to then pump out so many words can be quite challenging--oftentimes too challenging. It really does a number on your mental health. It's just not meant for every writer.

2. It has a competitive vibe to it.

Maybe it's just me, but after my first time trying NaNo, I've never felt it as a community getting together to try their best. Rather, it's felt competitive. To use the race example again, everyone is racing each other to get to that goal of the big 50k. Some people defy all logic and reach the finish line super quick, while others manage to pull in by the end of the month. But if you fail, then you suck. It just seems very . . . cutthroat to me. Both times I tried NaNo, I failed and only got 20-30k words written. And you're not congratulated for that; you're only celebrated if you succeed.

3. You end the month not feeling good about yourself.

I don't what it's like to finish NaNo, but I imagine it must feel something along the lines of, "I'm really tired, but I'm happy that I did so well, so I deserve to rest a while." The way I ended my first NaNo was, "I'm super burnt out, and I really don't want to see my story again, so I'm gonna take a break for a long while." The second NaNo may have been a bit better, but not by much. I end the month feeling kind of jealous of others and frustrated with myself and my writing. I know that's a "me" problem, though I don't think it makes my feelings illegitimate. Sure, I've made great progress in both Shattered and The Darglia Unravelings when I've participated in NaNo. Not hitting the goal, however, ends up making me feel more like a failure than anything else. In the end, I'm not convinced that any writing is worth allowing your mental health to take a beating.

So those are my thoughts on Camp NaNo vs. NaNo. I hope it doesn't bring you down or anything if you're participating this month. Again, these are just my feelings on the events. Will I ever take part in NaNo in the future? Maybe. But if I can't find a way to do it while also taking my time to refresh myself, then no, it's not something I want to do. I'd rather do Camp once or twice a year. It's more my style.

I suppose I'll end on saying this: if you've miraculously finished NaNo already, you are a hecking genius and I wish you all the best as you finish off the month! And if you're not done yet, I'm cheering you on from the sidelines. You've got this! But don't neglect your mental health in the process. I know I've talked a lot about it in this post, but seriously, it's important. The job I currently work has taught me to value it and look after it well, because no one else can or will do it for you.

That's that! What're your thoughts on my reasons? Do you prefer Camp or NaNo? If you're trying for 50k this month, how far along are you?

An Update Long-Overdue (Albeit a Short One)

Hey . . . it's been a while since I did one of these. But I owed it to you to let you know what's going on.

photo credit: me

Do recall that last year I made a post about how I was getting burnt out on blogging. And in a way, it did happen. Just maybe not the way I expected. As it turns out, I became very unmotivated in a lot of areas of life thanks to stuff happening. I'm not gonna go into all the details, because I'd bog down the post and whatnot.

As you can see, my blog has suffered from it. You're basically getting just Music Monday and Monthly HapPENings posts. Sure, January had a couple of video game posts, but that's it. I used to be so much more creative with what I've shared, but 2020--heck, even 2019--hasn't been the greatest in terms of my blogging.

I want to do better. I want to give you more content at a regular basis. At the same time, I don't want to push myself so much that I end up wiping out again, though it could be worse the second time around. I've actually been meaning to adjust my blogging schedule for a while now. Instead of trying for a new post every Friday, I'd like to do higher-quality, non-rushed posts. That means not every single Friday will see a new post, but it does mean the ones that come out whenever will be more interesting and/or entertaining. Well, that's the idea, anyway.

To start off this new schedule, I'd really to get some participation from you. I mean, I obviously want this all the time, not just now. But the kind of participation I'm talking about has to do with choosing the topic of the new posts. Considering this weird situation the world has found itself in, I'm striving to put out some content that I'm very confident you'll enjoy. To do that, I need to hear what you want.

There are plenty of options. I could bring back a series, like Video Game Life Lessons or The Quote Quota. I've thought about doing another Humble Beginnings series, only this one would be entirely in vlog form. I could do something inspirational, a review of some kind, a post of writing lessons from a certain show, something game- or music-related. Or I could attempt something entirely new! Like I've been meaning to try my hand at doing a let's play of one of my games, but it would be exclusively for my blog. I also have a couple of videos I made with one of my best friends a couple years that I never got around to editing and sharing here.

Please, help me decide! I really do want your input in moving forward. This blog should be yours as much as it is mine, where we both can get enjoyment and satisfaction out of it. I'll be posting polls on my social media as well, in an attempt to get a feel for what people want.

Also, while we're on the subject . . . what should I do for my blogoversary next month???

I know this post is a bit shorter than my usual sit-down-and-chat posts, but I felt this was important to get out there. Thanks for reading, take care, and drop your suggestions in the comments.

My Top Ten 3DS Games of 2019

It's no secret that I'm a gamer. I feel like in today's day and age, people who game can often be looked down on. But I'm proud to be one. Gaming helps me relax and unwind. It allows me to experience worlds that are wild and filled with adventure. I can live out stories that entertain and move me, or I can just enjoy a bit of a fun or a good challenge.

One of my favorite, if not my favorite, ways to game is by playing my 2DS XL with my headphones on and just getting lost in the moment. I bought the system back in the summer of 2017; it's the only gaming system I have purchased on the release day. I preferred it over the 3DS XL, which I had borrowed from a friend prior. It didn't have a great battery life (though I never checked the brightness level to see if it was too high), and I didn't care for the 3D feature. The regular 2DS is a clunky piece of stiff plastic that doesn't fold, so the 2DS XL was a great compromise. I mean, playing all 3DS and DS games, plus having a huge online store? Sign me up!

I've played it a lot since the day I bought it, and whenever I go through seasons where I just don't have time to play it regularly . . . I feel it. It does wonders in terms of taking care of my mental health, as it allows me to stop for a while and just breathe. One of the best purchases I've ever made, for sure.

Now, I asked on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter if I should write a blog post about my top ten or fifteen 3DS games of 2019, with ten being a nice number and fifteen being more content. Surprisingly--yet not surprisingly--more people voted for the top ten. This list comes from an application on my device that records each game I play, how long I've played it in total, how long the average play session is, etc. For my detailed and nerdy sides of my brain, this is absolutely genius, and more consoles should do this.

I can also check to see what games I've played in a day, week, month, or year. That makes it really easy to do posts like these. So based on playtime for 2019, here are my top ten games of the year and why! (Some of these are surprising in different ways, and others are no surprise at all.)

#10: Kirby: Planet Robobot (5:54)

source

The game starts out with Kirby at his best: sleeping under a tree. As he does, a terrifying shadow blocks out the sky. It's a giant ship of sorts, the base of operations for the Haltmann Works Company, and it begins to terraform Planet Popstar into a fully mechanized world. King Dedede and Meta Knight both attempt to stop the company, but fall quickly. When Kirby awakes, he finds himself in a strange world. Determined to save his homeworld once again, he sets off on a mission to prevent Haltmann's machinations from seeing their full fruition. But is he too late?

Every Kirby game has their gimmick. Kirby Mass Attack was about Kirby being split into ten mini Kirbys. Kirby's Epic Yarn saw him become an outline of yarn saving a fabric kingdom. In Planet Robobot, it's about using a mech suit that can absorb thirteen specific Copy Abilities that are used to solve puzzles.

Why this game? Well, first off, I just love the Kirby series as a whole. This one has a really unique plot and gimmick, and I'm a sucker for robot battlesuits. I think this is honestly one of the best Kirby titles I've ever played. There's just something about it that really shines. (Also, it has a fantastic score. Go look up "Vs. Star Dream" right now and tell me I'm wrong. If you do, you're lying to yourself.) Now, it definitely feels a bit easier and shorter than some other Kirby games I've played, but at the end of the day, it provides me with sheer joy, and that's all that matters.

#9: Kirby: Triple Deluxe (6:35)

source

Like the previous game on the list, this one also begins with Kirby sleeping--in his home this time, though. He gets up in the morning to find that a giant beanstalk has taken his house way up into the clouds. Spying Dedede's castle higher up, he races over to see if the king is behind this dastardly trick. When he reaches there, however, he finds a strange creature named Taranza, who kidnaps Kirby's rival. Choosing to save Dedede and find out what's going on, Kirby pursues the strange foe further up the beanstalk to lands unknown . . .

The gimmick for Triple Deluxe is twofold. First, it has the Miracle Fruit, which Kirby can eat to gain the Copy Ability known as Hypernova. It maximizes his inhalation and allows him to solve puzzles by sucking up pretty much anything. The second is the introduction of 3D elements. Obviously, a game like Kirby's Return to Dream Land is already 3D, but not quite in the same way. Triple Deluxe was made with the 3DS in mind, as it added background areas instead of there just being foreground areas. Bad guys can hop from one to the other or attack you from one side. Sometimes there'll be other things--like giant, spring-loaded hands--in the background that can pop out and smash you against the screen. It's really quite clever.

Why this game? Well, it's truly a stellar Kirby experience--probably my second favorite, with Return to Dream Land being the top. It's more challenging than Planet Robobot, and it reminded me a lot--in a good way--of RtDL. Again, the music is incredible, and you're only kidding yourself if you think it isn't. Plus, I loved being able to play through the whole game as Dedede later on. The bosses were challenging, especially when doing the True Arena and whatnot. Also, Taranza and his boss both had interesting backstories/motivations, which really adds something to the experience. Just a fantastic game all around.

#8: Kirby Battle Royale (6:38)

source

I swear, this is the last Kirby game on the list. It kicks off with Kirby and Bandana Waddle Dee receiving an invitation from King Dedede to join his grand tournament. The prize? A gigantic cake! How can Kirby resist? But when they get there, they find that there are other Kirbys. In fact, the king has been using a device called the Kirby Printer to create colorful clones of the hero. Dedede intends to humiliate Kirby once and for all. Will the pink puffball win the tournament, or will he be defeated by himself?

Kirby Battle Royale is very different from other Kirby titles, in the fact that it's really just a bunch of battle minigames with different goals. One is a straight-up arena brawl; another has you tossing crystals onto a moving train; yet another sees you taking on the boss known as Robo Bonkers to score the most hit points. You can either play a match by yourself, do multiplayer (both local and online, though online doesn't allow you to specifically play with your friends), and take on story mode. Meanwhile, you unlock costumes, music, Copy Abilities, and minigames.

Why do I love this game? Mainly because it's a fresh spin on the Kirby franchise. The minigames are surprisingly fun, and the story mode is pretty entertaining. Even the animation style is a bit different from some of the recent series entries. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did, but it seems that wasn't the case in the end. My two main gripes are that I can't play with Preston--one of my Kiwi friends--online, because that's actually one of the main reasons why I bought the game; and that the online playerbase is pretty much completely dead at this point. Other than that, it's a fun little game that's best in short bursts.

#7: Mario Party: Island Tour (7:05)

source

Obviously, this game doesn't really have much of a plot, since only the single-player mode has any story to it. I suppose that's like Kirby Battle Royale, but the occasional Mario Party game (like Mario Party DS) did have a plot that included the party boards. Anyway, the story here is that Mario and friends get a letter inviting them to the Party Islands; the letter explodes into bubbles that surround everyone and takes them up to these fun, floating isles. Jealous that he wasn't invited, Bowser creates his own tower and begins make his own evil bubbles. (That has got to be the weirdest thing I've said today.) Mario and company have to stop Bowser before he takes away everyone's fun. Yes, this is the plot, and no, I never said it was a good one.

Mario Party: Island Tour ditches the car from Mario Party 9 (as well as 10 later on) and goes back to having several boards with different objectives and time lengths. For example, Perilous Palace Path is like a "regular" board where you simply have to reach the end, but you receive Mario Kart-esque items along the way to use against your opponents. Star Crossed Skyway requires that you gain the most Mini Stars to win, whether you finish first or last. Shy Guy's Shuffle City is only playable if you have three or four human players. Plus, you can play various minigame modes, take on Bowser's Tower, etc.

Why this game? I've always enjoyed the Mario Party series, especially if I'm playing with other people. That's probably how I got most of those seven hours, by playing with Kaitlyn and/or Chloe. (I don't recall if the game allows for online multiplayer, so I don't know if Preston and I could play together if he owned it as well.) Would I say it's the best Mario Party game I've played? No, I don't think I would. But that doesn't mean it isn't entertaining.

#6: Animal Crossing: New Leaf (9:07)

source

Animal Crossing games never have grand plots, but they don't need 'em. You arrive at a town filled with friendly animals who seem to think you're their new mayor. Soon thereafter, a letter arrives from the anonymous person who was actually supposed to be the mayor. They're content to let you take on the role in their stead. Now it's up to you to create your own happy community with the help of your assistant, Isabelle.

There are tons of life simulation games out there, but none of them are as charming as Animal Crossing: New Leaf. It's one that I never get tired of playing. There's always so much you can do. You can chat it up with the town residents and help them with errands or requests. You can hunt down every last fossil, fish, insect, and painting to donate to the museum. You can travel to an island run by the former mayor, Tortimer, and play fun minigames to get special items. You can tend to your mayoral duties and do things like raise money for public works projects. You can invite your friends over to play together. Heck, you can even . . . pay your house's mortgage! (Which thankfully has no interest on it.)

Why do I love this game? This is one 3DS title that always really relaxes me. Something about it is just so calming, so soothing. The whole atmosphere of the game, from the chill music to the art style to the fact that you're living out a dream life, never fails to get me calm. It's pretty much perfect in every way. My only regret is how little I played it in 2019. Seriously, nine hours would've been several play sessions. This honestly makes me want to play it more this year. If you're looking to try an Animal Crossing or a life simulation title, I can't recommend this one enough. IT'S HECKING ADORABLE.

#5: Mario Kart 7 (12:19)

source

So obviously the Mario Kart series never has integrated a plot into any of the games. But they don't need to, because that's not the point of the franchise. The point is to race against your loved ones and get super competitive, talking louder and louder the more you play, and screaming in rage if you get hit by either a red or blue shell right before the finish line and someone else steals your win.

This one added a lot of new features and ideas when it first came out. It allows you to customize your kart by picking the body, the wheels, and the glider; this affects your stats, so you wanna pick the right parts to get the best car possible. Courses allow you to drive underwater one moment and then soar through the air in the next. You can even race in a first-person perspective, if you so desire.

Why this game? It's another one of those that's just a good ol' time, whether playing solo or multiplayer. Again, I think a good portion of those twelve hours came from playing with Preston, as well as some with Chloe and Kaitlyn. I'd have to say that, based on the Mario Kart games I've played, this one's the second best (Mario Kart 8 being on the top of the list). Sure, the online multiplayer occasionally has connection issues, but other than that, this is a top-tier Mario Kart experience. The series is truly one of the best racing franchises.

#4: Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time (13:44)

source

(This is technically a DS game, but I played it on my 2DS XL, so it counts.) It's just another day in the Mushroom Kingdom. Professor E. Gadd has just unveiled his newly-created time machine. Princess Peach decides to take part in this momentous occasion and uses the machine to visit the past. When it comes back, however, out steps not the princess in pink, but rather a hostile alien. A time hole opens up in the castle, and Mario and Luigi use it to visit the past. They discover that a race called the Shroobs are invading the Mushroom Kingdom of bygone years. In order to save both past and present, the bros must team up with their baby selves to take on Princess Shroob and her vast army. And the enemy is not afraid to do whatever it takes to win . . .

I'd played this game before, but I never was able to beat the final boss. I found myself kind of disappointed by the experience and left it for a while. Eventually, I decided to restart it, and I ended up enjoying it a lot more than I did the first time, now that my expectations were better. It's full of colorful locales, challenging foes, tough boss fights . . . all of that good stuff!

Why do I love it? First off, like most--if not all--of the Mario & Luigi series, it's freaking dark! Like, would you expect a Mario game to strongly imply that UFOs are shooting Toads, or to show that aliens are sucking their life forces for power? The plot is very solid, as it's part time travel, part alien invasion. If you don't have anything about the final boss spoiled for you, there's a great twist close to the end. The music is obviously phenomenal, because Yoko Shimomura. The callback to Yoshi's Island is perfect and hits me right in the nostalgia, since that was my first Mario game. I only wish that it had been remade in the new art style, because right now it's the only title in the series that wasn't. However, with the 3DS being a now-dead system, and with the developers, AlphaDream, filing for bankruptcy, that's never going to happen. Other than that, this is most definitely a fantastic experience.

#3: Miitopia (15:13)

source

The world of Miitopia is a happy one. Everyone gets along with each other, and peace reigns over the land . . . until the Dark Lord shows up one day to steal people's faces! To make matters worse, he puts these faces onto monsters he's created. Who will save the day and take back the faces of Miitopia?

Well, that's where you come in. One of the greatest, most entertaining aspects of Miitopia is the fact that you choose who every single character is. You can either create Miis, use ones you've already created in the Mii Maker or Tomodachi Life, or use ones that people have made and shared online. Want the Dark Lord to be that in-law you despise? Done deal. Feel like saving the world as your favorite celebrity? Not a problem! What I did was play as myself, then had a couple of my friends, YouTubers I like, and several Undertale characters join my party. It was absolute blast fighting off monsters, leveling up, and doing other RPG things with my hand-selected team.

Why do I love this game? The casting element is obviously a huge selling point for me. Even though there can be a fair bit of grinding involved (like any RPG, honestly), it was still thoroughly enjoyable. The amusing storyline had me hooked, and I always looked forward to seeing whose face would end up on which boss. The music is surprisingly good, and the level/world design was solid, even if some parts might be considered simplistic or stereotypical. All in all, a fun game that had me staying up late often because I just had to play "one more level."

#2: Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (32:36)

source

Oh, look! If it isn't one of my favorite games ever. And it's more than double the time spent in the previous game on the list? No surprise there. The plot is more a bit more complex than one might assume, so let me try to summarize briefly . . . Espella Cantabella is in trouble. On the run from witches, she turns to the two titular characters for help. In doing so, Layton and his apprentice, Luke, as well as Phoenix and his assistant, Maya, end up being transported into a medieval world via a magical book. The town of Labyrinthia has no place for logic and truth, and the people would instead plunge any witch into the hellfire. Layton and Wright must work together to uncover the darkest secrets of the town, but things are never what they seem . . .

How Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright works in terms of gameplay is pretty straightforward. It's divided into two sections: Layton's investigation and puzzle-solving segments, and Phoenix's court trials. That doesn't mean, however, that Phoenix can't help out with puzzles, or that Layton can't lend a hand in court. The two different game styles are meshed together quite well here. There are some new elements added as well, such as multiple witnesses testifying all at once in court. It definitely makes the trials even more interesting.

Why do I love this game? It introduced me to both the Professor Layton and the Ace Attorney series, which I'm very thankful for. The plot was absolutely incredible, keeping me wanting to come back on a very frequent basis. There are some great twists, one of which I accidentally spoiled for myself. (I hate it when that happens.) The characters were all unique and interesting in their own right. The themes really resonated with me and still give me food for thought to this day. Did I mention that the music is freaking epic? BECAUSE IT IS. Actually, scratch that: the whole game is freaking epic. Can't recommend it enough. If you want a full review, I posted one here.

It's time for the top game of 2019, and it shouldn't really be a surprise to anyone! Clocking in more than double the time spent playing Layton vs. Wright, it's . . .

#1: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy (74:19)

source

If this is shocking to you, you probably didn't know me all that well since June of 2019. I have become obsessed with the Ace Attorney series, and I made it my goal to finish the original trilogy last year. Some might argue that it's not fair, since it's technically composed of the first three games--Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice For All, and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations--therefore averaging about 25 hours per game and being less than the previous one on the list. However, I'll still keep things as they are, especially since I don't know the exact time I spent on each game in the trilogy.

Obviously, because of the nature of the collection, it's hard to talk plot, but let me see if I can try . . . Phoenix Wright is new to the court scene. His first trial goes well, thanks to his chief and mentor, Mia Fey. But when he finds her brutally murdered, his world changes. Now he ventures forth with her sister, Maya, who's a spirit medium and can channel the spirits of the dead. They must take on new cases and help more innocent defendants as they face off against rivals both old and new. From a former classmate to a literal whippersnapper to a masked coffee addict, the prosecutors won't let Nick and Maya win easily. As cases become more and more complex, will Phoenix be able to prove that he is indeed an ace attorney?

Totaling fourteen cases, most of which are murder-related, the collection will have you meeting all sorts of crazy and colorful characters. The first game helps you get on your feet, and the following two titles have a tutorial case at the beginning, but don't expect things to be easy for you. By the time you reach the end of each game (especially Trials and Tribulations), you just might be scratching your head when the time comes to present the right evidence. But the satisfaction of getting the right answer is so worth it.

Most cases are divided up into several trial and investigation periods. You search the crime scene, the surrounding area, and related locations for clues while talking to people to get more answers. Then you'll stand in court and cross-examine witnesses and their testimonies, pointing out the contradictions. Honestly, it's a fairly simple formula, but it works really well.

Why do I love this collection? Because it exists and it is wonderful and everyone should play it. Seriously, the plots are addictive, there are plenty of twists and turns, the characters are either really lovable or really hateable (well, there are a few in between, but you know what I mean), the music is nothing short of stupendous, there's some good challenge involved . . . What more can I say? I guess you'll find out when I write a review of the trilogy. (Edit: future me has added the link to this review. You're welcome.)

There you have it! Those were my top ten 3DS games of 2019! Have you played any of these? Do you want to? If you're looking for recommendations or want to give some, I'm here for either one!

Realm Makers 2019 Recap

Realm Makers 2019 was one of the best experiences of my entire life.

Let me back up a couple steps. I had never been to a writer's conference prior to this. I'd wanted to go last year, but that didn't work out, thanks to my purchase of my very own car. I knew going would jeopardize my bank account, and I wasn't going to risk it. So I passed, disheartened by the fact that I had to stay behind, but also hoping to attend the following year.

As the new year rolled around and it was time to to file income tax, I calculated that I would have more than enough with my return to pay for RM. Sure enough, when I got that check, it covered my expenses. (Though perhaps not entirely, considering how many books I bought . . .)

I decided 2019 was my year. I had started rewriting the first book of the Portal Chronicles, now called Shattered, back in November for NaNo. That meant I actually had something to talk about and get critiqued. I was ready to learn, to hang out with like-minded people, and to have a blast. So I did it.

I signed up. Three simple words, but ones with such a profound impact on me.

The date drew nearer, and while I was definitely excited, I wasn't all that nervous. See, I'd also never flown on a jet before. I took preparatory measures, such as buying some earplugs that help with the adjusting air pressure. I also brought some Gravol along, so I figured I'd be all right. It's a good thing I didn't know how the flights would end up being; otherwise, I would've been a lot more nervous . . .

Disclaimer before I continue: I'm not going to do a play-by-play recap of the conference . . . at least, I'm gonna try not to. And even if I don't, I suspect this post will become a bit of a monster, so hang tight, I guess.

Wednesday - Day 1

The first day turned out to be such a gong show, it was unbelievable. It started off fine. Tracey and I got to the airport way ahead of time, booked our seats with no problem, checked in, and chilled for a couple of hours. We had a lunch of sorts and chatted with a delightful older couple. Nothing too crazy . . . yet.

This was taken before the chaos started. You can still see the naive innocence on my face.

It started with our flight being delayed by half an hour. Doesn't sound like much, but when you're going through customs at your next stop, every minute counts. Then it continued with our descent into Toronto. I hadn't worn my earplugs properly, and the pressure began to seriously affect my ears, hammering my skull as well. My hearing was muffled for a while afterward.

The madness didn't stop there. We had forty minutes to go through customs and get to our gate, which we just barely managed to do. But then they stopped Tracey at the gate and told her she wasn't on the flight. They managed to get her a seat, while saying that her luggage may not arrive in St. Louis. Swell.

And THEN it gets even crazier. A massive thunderstorm was hitting our destination. Our pilot dipped below the clouds to land, but all that resulted in was some hefty turbulence. I was seriously beginning to wonder how fast I could pull my books out of my plastic bag so I could use it for vomiting. We ascended above the storm and circled for a bit to no avail. We were forced to land in a private airstrip in Indiana or something to refuel. The facility was so small with so few staff that we could only get off the plane five at a time to use the bathroom.

By the time we were able to land in St. Louis, it was after nine, three hours past our scheduled time. Tracey and I had been planning to meet up with some people for supper, but we told them earlier to go by themselves, since we had no idea when we'd land, and it's a good thing we did. But this wasn't the worst part.

We go to the carousel for our luggage. We wait . . . and we wait . . . and we wait. To quote VeggieTales, "Nothing." "Zilch." "Nada." As if the day couldn't get any worse! We headed over to claims, and they told that we were supposed to have taken our luggage through customs in Toronto, but NOBODY INFORMED US OF THAT TINY, INSIGNIFICANT DETAIL. Plus, we wouldn't have had the time.

Thankfully, our luggage had been located in Toronto and would be sent to our hotel. With that, we grabbed the next shuttle and headed over to the Sheraton Westport Chalet. It was here that I got to meet the wonderful Deborah O'Carroll and Mary Horton in person, but with me being as tired as I was, all I could manage was a tired "Hello" and a handshake. What a lame way to meet, but what can you do?

One of my roommates and I went out in search of supper, but nothing nearby was open. So we ordered a pizza and shared it before being joined by our other roomie. I headed downstairs and stayed up until midnight waiting for my suitcase to arrive, but Tracey and I found out it wouldn't show up until four or five in the morning. With that, I went to bed in my street clothes and ended that circus of a day.

Moral of the day: don't fly if you can help it. But if you have to, hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Thursday - Day 2

Waking up at seven and going down to the lobby to find that my suitcase had indeed safely arrived was the best way to start the day. After a delicious chocolate chip bagel with strawberry cream cheese at Panera, I was ready to have some fun!

First on the agenda was Robert Liparulo's pre-conference class. He was teaching on how to write and market a series, and he had so many useful tips! I could've listened to him talk for hours--well, I suppose I kinda did. I added a few questions to my list for our critique session the next day; I felt that they weren't broad enough to merit asking in front of everyone, which is why I saved them for later. Anyway, I filled up several pages in my notebook with tons of notes from his session. I'm so glad I got to attend!

During the lunch break, some of us went over to Fuzzy's Taco Shop. If you've never had a shrimp burrito before, you really must try it! At least, if you happen to visit Fuzzy's somewhere. It was during this time that I also got to properly meet some more online acquaintances, such as the splendid Savannah Grace and Madeline Rose. I enjoyed hanging out with them and the others with us. It was really starting to make me feel like I belonged in the RM family.

We returned to finish Robert's class, which ended up going thirty minutes over schedule. (He finally stopped when lots of people had trickled out of the class.) I asked him to sign the first three Dreamhouse Kings books I'd brought along, and he remembered, based solely on my name, that we had an appointment together on Friday. This kinda shocked me, but he seemed to be really good with names and faces.

What an incredible, friendly guy! So happy I got to meet Bob.

It was during this time that Tracey and I also met Jenneth Dyck, a super sweet girl who wanted to find us because we share the same last name. She’d been getting asked if we were related, so she just had to track down her “cousins.” We took a “family picture” together for fun. I’m glad I got to know her, because I feel like we clicked really well. Plus, it never hurts to make more friends, right?

The Dyck clan shall take over Realm Makers! (Photo courtesy of Tracey)

It was time for the conference to actually start, so we made our way downstairs. This is where I met the absolutely fantastic Christine Smith. I noticed her sitting in a row nearby, and she spotted me as well. We both kept glancing each other's way, but neither one of us did anything. Finally, when I was following Tracey through the row in front of Christine's, she let out a chipper, "Hi, Josiah!" Meeting her was one of my biggest highlights, and I’m so grateful that the opportunity was available. She’s been such a blessing and encouragement to me. Seeing her in person was a dream come to true.

After the conference opening segment and Brent Weeks's opening keynote, I was introduced to two really cool dudes: Joel Nelson (known more by his pen name, Charles Van Horn) and Nathan Veyon. These guys practically became my shadow during the con, which was both great and kinda hilarious. I'm so glad I got to meet them. We had a blast hanging out, and I hope we can meet up again next year.

I had supper over at Panera with a bunch of peeps, and it was a grand ol' time. The company was delightful, the food not so much. (My barbecue chicken mac and cheese was ruined by a horrendous amount of cilantro that ruined the entire dish, much like the conquistadors ruined the South American civilizations. Plus, the baguette was far too chewy.) I then attended the newcomers' orientation, which I probably didn't need to go to since I figured most everything they said by reading the booklet I'd gotten ahead of time.

Up next was a Q&A panel with agents and editors, but I didn't feel like sitting in on that one. I'd already been stuck in a chair for most of the day, and I'm not currently at a place in my writing where I need either one. So instead I wandered around the bookstore, purchasing a few novels and talking to some authors, such as Keith A. Robinson, Steve Rzasa, the Havok table, and the Phoenix Fiction Writers group. It was so fun and chill to just chat it up with other writers.

I eventually decided it was time for bed. I began walking down the hall that led to the stairwell I used to get to my room. Nathan was headed the opposite way, so naturally we stopped and talked for a bit. I didn't get much further before I crossed paths with Joel, and we also got to talking. Nathan came back and was like, "Hey, I thought you said you were tired." Turns out hanging with friends can make you feel less tired. All three of us ended up staying until 12:30, just sitting in the lobby and having some great conversation. Partway through, Joel ordered a pizza that he and I ate--Nathan didn't want any--but Joel refused to let me pay for any of it. I can say with certainty that our late-night discussion was another highlight from the whole conference.

One of the rare times you'll see Nathan give a half-smile on camera.

Friday - Day 3

The rest of my night turned out to be a little weird. When I got back to my room, I didn't bother changing into my pajamas or brushing my teeth. I just wanted some sleep. As it turned out, my roommate who I was sharing a bed with had taken up most of the space. I attempted to get some shuteye for a couple hours on that sliver of mattress, but to no avail. "Screw this," I thought. I got ready for the day and went down to the lobby with Wayne Thomas Batson's War for the Waking World in hand. For the rest of the night, I read that entire book in one sitting. I know, I'm an absolute mad lad, but I might as well do something with my time than be restless for several hours.

After grabbing a bagel from the hospitality suite and attending the welcome/announcements segment, it was time for the first class of the day. I chose Wayne's continuing session, and I'm very glad that I did! First off, he was super approachable and was a wonderful teacher. Secondly, the teaching material was so, SO good. I took a lot of notes from his three classes. He gave me a lot to ponder on, with some of his points feeling like they were meant for me. I think his three classes were my favorites.

Thanks again, Wayne, for the fantastic teaching!

Next on the agenda was Morgan Busse's class on Christian worldview in your books. I enjoyed her class, but I had to leave partway through for my fifteen-minute mentor appointment with Bryan Davis. We ended up going on a rabbit trail with one of the questions, but it worked out great! He gave me some tips and ideas for strengthening some aspects of my first chapter, which I very much appreciated. I returned to Morgan's class before heading out to IMO's for pizza with some friends. I left earlier because it was time for my critique session with Robert Liparulo.

Before I delve into that, let me give some backstory. When I saw he was doing critiques of the first ten pages of people’s stories, I decided to go for it. I was both really excited and really nervous, since he’s one of my author heroes. In his critique, though, he had some very nice things to say. He liked how the prologue contrasted so much with the first chapter, because that would leave readers asking how the two scenarios fit and wanting to read more. He also apologized if anything he critiqued went against my voice, because he said that an author’s voice is the most important thing they bring to the table. You may have a great story, but if you don’t have a great voice, the story won’t go far. Even his critiques were all said in a way that left me feeling encouraged. So I was highly anticipating our appointment.

Well, he showed up ten to fifteen minutes late, which gave me a chance to finish asking my last question to Bryan. And I didn’t hold anything against Robert for arriving late. I figured someone had intercepted him in the halls, or he just lost track of time, or he read his schedule wrong. Whatever the case, I forgave him for being late.

Even though he wasn’t on time, we did get our full half an hour together. When our time was up, I looked at my list of questions and said, “Man, I still have so many things to ask you!”

He went over his schedule and said, “I’ve got nothing up for a while. Let’s keep talking.”

So even though I’d paid for only thirty minutes with him, we ended up talking for almost an hour and a half. I even missed CJ Redwine’s class, Cinderella 2.0, because of how long I stayed with Robert. (Joel and Nathan had even asked Tracey where I was, and assumed I’d crashed on my bed due to the poor night.)

It was so encouraging to talk with Robert. He had pretty much nothing but praises for my story. He told me that he loved the story, and that he loved the characters even more. He thought my character arcs were great, and he thought how I was setting up Chapters of Kythe as a trilogy of trilogies was cool. At a few points in our appointment, I’d explain some plot stuff to help him answer my questions, and he’d just say, “Wow.” It blew my mind that a great author like Robert would even say “Wow” about MY STORY. Even now, I can’t fully comprehend it.

We talked about so many story things, it was fantastic! When he did list elements that needed working on, it was always said so that I never felt disheartened. The coolest part happened at the end of the appointment. He signed my last three Dreamhouse Kings books; in one, he wrote, “Wishing you the best of success for ‘Shattered’!” In the other, he said, “Keep in touch,” and gave his email address. Even though he’d done so at the pre-con, the fact that he specifically wrote it for me touched me. I could hardly believe my eyes. What an amazing man he is!

I arrived for Wayne's second class a bit late due to how long my appointment with Robert went, but that was fine. Once the session was finished, it was finally time to get ready for the awards dinner! I think I was the only video game character there--gotta represent my love for the Ace Attorney games--and I think I wanna keep doing game-related cosplays. I won't show you all the pictures here, but I have been slowly uploading them to Facebook, if you're interested in seeing more. It was such a fun, nerdy time! (Joel acted as a stand-in for the judge, overruling my "Objection!" or threatening to hold someone in contempt of court.)

Left to right: me with Mary; me with Deb; me with Tracey; me with Madeline; me with Savannah; and me with Joel and Christine.

The dinner and ceremony went on for a while. When it was getting late, I went to the hospitality suite to grab a snack, but I didn't stay long. This is where my tiredness truly shone, since I was going on forty hours of no sleep. Plus, I'll preface by saying that the hotel is weirdly built, what with them probably adding new parts to the original layout.

I had wanted to take the elevator down to the lobby level so I could take my normal stairwell up to my room. My brain did not seem to realize I could just take the elevator directly to my floor. The elevator stopped on a different floor on the way down, and as people entered and I exited, I realized this was not where I wanted to be. I didn’t want to look like an idiot by calling the elevator back, so I went down a couple of long hallways in search of a staircase. I found one, but when I reached the bottom, it was blocked off/the door was inaccessible. My lightning-fast mind did not think about getting out on one of the other floors; instead, I went all the way back up to where I’d first entered the stairwell.

While I headed back to the elevator, I realized that some of the long corridors and sharp turns would make for a great horror game setting. Thankfully, I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to spook myself. I got to the elevator, went down to the lobby level, walked over to my regular stairs, and ascended to my room. Once I was ready for bed, I crashed.

Saturday - Day 4

Morning came, and I awoke with more vim and vigor than I'd ended off the night with. I toasted myself an English muffin in the hospitality suite, grabbed a Starbucks frap, and headed off for the announcements, followed by a Q&A between Brent Weeks and the guest of honor, Terry Brooks. It ended up being both really insightful and super funny. Those two guys bounced off and ribbed each other so much, it was hilarious. One of my favorite parts was when they were asked who their author or what their favorite book was. After Terry gave a bit of a longer spiel, Brent piped up, "Well, my favorite book is the Bible." That had everyone in stitches, with Terry proclaiming that that wasn't fair.

Wayne's final class was next, and he still was able to provide so much insight and wisdom. I hope I'll never forget what I learned from him. He finished off with a Kahoot! quiz. I named myself Phoenix Wright--obviously--and would've most likely stayed in the top five if I hadn't listened to Joel for one of the last questions. An unfortunate loss, but whatcha gonna do?

He ended a bit early for lunch, which gave Joel, Nathan, and me more time to drive to Chick-fil-A for our meal. I'd never been before, but I thoroughly enjoyed their chicken sandwich, especially with their special honey mustard, and their fries. We had some really great conversation, and it made me appreciate my friendship with the two guys even more.

I had a couple more classes and a final mentor appointment in the afternoon. The first class was with Jill Williamson, who had taken over for Patrick Carr in the worldbuilding session. I definitely got a lot of good things to think about for my projects, especially since the one I'm currently working on is so huge.

Ronie Kendig's class on capturing your readers followed. It was all right, and I got some good notes, but I found it hard to follow along sometimes. Close to the end, I left for my thirty-minute appointment with someone I'm choosing not to name. They seemed to shoot down some of my key ideas, approaching it from the sci-fi perspective of needing everything to make sense scientifically, when I'm writing fantasy that allows for a bit more suspension of disbelief. I did get, again, a few decent notes, but I would've done things differently had I known the results ahead of time.

Brent's closing keynote was immediately after my appointment, but I managed to get a nice seat with Joel. Now, Brent's first speech was fantastic, but this second one was even better. He started off by telling us that he wasn't going to encourage us, but rather, tell us the truth. He shared so many fantastic pointers, and his storytelling shone even more than it had before. He left off with a powerful statement that's stuck with me since then:

Graphic courtesy of Kat Vinson

He got a standing ovation for what had to have been close to half a minute. What an empowering speech it was. I couldn't have thought of a better send-off for the conference attendees. It was just really inspiring.

Once Scott and Becky Minor talked for a bit about RM 2020, we performed a final raid on Panera. I got myself French onion soup and a turkey or ham sandwich (both of which were good, but not great), and ended up discussing writing projects with Nathan and Joel for a while. I then got a chance to talk with Deb, which I hadn't really done yet. I'm glad we got the chance, because I enjoyed chatting with her.

Then it was the long-awaited book festival! I grabbed all my books that I wanted to be signed and went to the tables where the authors were. I first was in line for Wayne Thomas Batson, who was seated next to Robert Liparulo’s table. When Robert didn’t have anyone at his spot, I stepped out of the queue to talk with Robert a little more. I thanked him very much for our appointment and expressed that I felt like the reason I couldn’t come to Realm Makers last year was because I was supposed to meet him this year. I told him it seemed like a God appointment.

He gave a thoughtful “Hmm,” then said words I do not ever want to forget. Looking straight at me, he said, “You are a very good author, and you have no reason to doubt yourself.”

I thanked him again, but it was only with telling the story afterward did the emotion and tears really hit. How I had needed to hear those words. They were, and still are, so encouraging to me. He added that he really meant it when he said he wanted to stay in contact. He threatened to hunt me down if I didn’t email him. Honestly, he was such a thoughtful, caring guy.

I went back to Wayne’s table, where he signed books for me yet again. We got to talking about music, since we both love soundtracks and orchestral/instrumental music. We both gave each other music recommendations, which I had never thought would happen when I met him. He asked me, “Are we friends on Facebook?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

He then said I should send him a request so that we could message each other our recommendations. It was a really cool chat! Never in a million years did I think I would be nerding out about music with Wayne. That's the beauty of RM, I suppose.

I went to several other tables afterward. I ended up talking to Jason Joyner, Jill Williamson, Morgan Busse, and possibly a few other people (I don’t quite remember). By the end of the day, pretty much all of my books were signed.

It was great to see the marvelous Bryan Davis again!

I ended up first chatting with Nathan and Jenneth about physics (which bored Joel) and Nathan's books. Then I got to talking with Cadi Murphy, the most delightful real-life hobbit you'll ever meet, and Mary. Again, it was nice to be able have some one-on-one conversations, as I was normally with at least a few people a time.

Eventually, it was just me, Tracey, Nathan, Joel, Mary, Deb, and Jenneth. That was one of the best moments of the whole conference, as we talked together and laughed. At one point, I was even on the floor, I was laughing so hard. Wouldn't have traded that time for anything else.

Sometime around midnight or so, we decided we should get some sleep. We parted ways (I unfortunately didn't get a proper chance to say goodbye to Nathan and Joel), and I got ready for bed. As I lay in bed that night before I fell asleep, I thought about the conference: how great of a time it’d been, how I was sad to have to leave it all behind soon. I remembered Wayne talking about us thanking God more often, and so that’s what I decided to do. I thanked God for the opportunity to attend the conference and for how much He blessed me throughout the event. And you know what? It felt really, really good. It felt . . . right. I fell asleep with a heart that was content and at peace.

Sunday - Day 5

I awoke at three or four in the morning, due to one of my roommates leaving early for his plane. Not long after, I woke up a second time due to someone knocking on our door and saying in a loud voice, "Security!" It took a moment to process this, and I wondered what I'd done wrong and how I would respond. As it turned out, the security officer was there simply because my roomie forgot his laptop or something, which I quickly found and gave to the officer.

I managed to get a bit more sleep before preparing myself for the day at seven. I brought my suitcase to the receptionists and had them hold it for me there until later. Tracey and I went over to Starbucks for breakfast, and when we got back, there was some people preparing to leave. I also missed my opportunity to say goodbye to Deb, as she left during the post-con.

I sat with Christine and Tracey for the last session of the conference, which was Jill Williamson teaching on how to launch your book. I'm nowhere near that point yet, but it was good info to have on hand for later. Some fun ideas were passed around, several of which I would enjoy using.

Lunchtime arrived faster than I wanted. I bid Jenneth farewell before I went out with the group--consisting of Mary, Christine, her dad, Tracey, Savannah, Hannah, and Millie--to Fuzzy's. It was a great time, but also really sad. I mean, I wasn't going to see virtually all of these people for another year. Saying goodbye to some of them wasn't easy.

The final lunch, where you put on a brave face and smile when you're really crying on the inside because you don't wanna return to normalcy.

I won't bore you with too many travel details. Things went a lot better this go-around; even though our first flight was delayed, we managed to get to our second gate with time to spare. I could hardly keep my eyes open to read my book on that last flight, I was so tired. We touched down past midnight, grabbed our luggage, paid for valet parking, and drove home. We arrived around two or so, and I crashed, sleeping until close to eleven.

Conclusion

Attending Realm Makers 2019 was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The God appointments, the friends I made, the stuff I learned . . . it was all worth it. No, it was more than worth it. The books were a great bonus, too. (I ended up purchasing twenty-one books, with two free ones on top of that.)

Not only did I connect with an uplifting, positive writing community, but I also became part of what feels like a second family. Even writing this last section now, over a month later, my heart still aches to return. I felt like I belonged there, and it felt right.

I’m so honored that God gave me this opportunity. It has encouraged and strengthened me. I already long for next year’s conference, and I hope and pray I’ll be able to go again. It’s something that I need in my life, something to anticipate every year. Until then, I will do my best to patiently wait. At the same, I also want to strive to stay in contact with my newfound friends and my old ones. I want to keep writing, and keep growing in my craft. I want my relationship with Jesus to become even more personal. I want my life to be in a better place.

So long, Realm Makers 2019. You were tons of fun, and what you gave me was invaluable.

Hello, Realm Makers 2020. Let’s make new memories, more memories, better memories.

When it’s time, we will bloom together in our short season, and it will be beautiful.