Auldnoir Video Game Book Club - Vol. 1 Submissions

Hello gamers.

I off-handed suggested we do a video game book club (i know that’s wrong, it’s funny). It got a lot of positive reception, so let’s try it out. First I’d like to get some submissions going.

Suggest a game for the first volume in this thread. It can be any game you want, but here are the criteria I’d shoot for so that people can actually get into this:

  • Games that are cheap to access
  • Games that are available on multiple platforms, whether they’re meant to be there or not :eyes:
  • games that are 10-15 hours long. i’m envisioning a month-long for each game, so that’d give everyone a lot of time to play the game.

2 “Rules” of VGBC:

  • You do not need to finish the game if you don’t want to. You can generally tell how much you like a game by 3 hours, particularly if it’s 10-15 long. If you don’t, talk about why!
  • There are no chapter markers to worry about in most games, so you can just talk about the game as you progress, regardless of where you’re at during the month. just spoil-tag what you think makes sense

2 Ideas for VGBC

  • Are you a streamer? Use this as an opportunity to stream the game that gets picked! It’ll motivate you to play it and let you stream at the same time
  • Too busy to play? Maybe you’ve played it before? Maybe you don’t wanna write a whole lot? Maybe make some art of the game being discussed instead!

That’s about it. I’d like to figure out what game we play by this Friday. That said:

Submissions Due: 2024-05-02T06:00:00Z

I’ll then take the top, I dunno, 3 or 4 most-hearted games in this thread and make a poll.

Poll Closes: 2024-05-03T06:00:00Z

Let’s play!

3 Likes

“Hello gamers.” with a period makes me sound like a James Bond villain.

Anyways my selfish submission is Metroid Zero Mission.

  • takes 4-8 hours to complete according to HLTB
  • remake of the first game in the metroid series so a good starting point for anyone who wants to jump into the rest of it
  • Easy to access :eyes:
  • Samus Aran is hot and I want to hold her hand
7 Likes

Wandersong

  • 9 to 12 hours to beat according to HLTB (I finished in 10 according to Steam)
  • A musical platformer, there’s some light rhythm and moving gameplay but its mostly walking around and talking to people, until you get to a good singing moment so easy to pick and finish
  • currently part of the Palestinian Relief Bundle, and has been in others as well
  • A heartfelt story that manages to avoid the trappings of being both “wholesome” and “deconstruction”, ending just being a sincere hopeful story about friendships and life goals
  • I like smiling and crying, and want others to do the same
8 Likes

ah fuck i’m def recommending chicory next time too

2 Likes

Not being able to remove old reactions might make voting a little difficult… I think I’d prefer to play Wandersong lol

I was so ecstatic about the thread and posting I didn’t even read that’s how we’re voting lol I just hearted automatically

edit: I don’t take it back, Metroid Zero is a good ass game, its just funny

You can also just like, make a poll once you’ve got a few submissions

Pyre by Supergiant Games

  • wizard basketball oregon trail
  • 10ish hours
  • possibility for varying outcomes per person
  • is not currently on sale but regularly drops to $4-$5
  • strong character writing, worldbuilding, and hangoutitude
  • there is a talking dog with a handlebar moustache
  • there is a large woman with demon horns
  • is not based on greek mythology
8 Likes

Pyre was also in the Itch Bundle for Racial Justice bundle from a few years ago, so if you backed that you can find it.

1 Like

Pathologic 2 does not fit any of these criteria, which is good because:

  • it is a nightmare of a game I would not wish on my worst enemy /pos; and
  • if it did, I would do nothing but recommend it every time until it got picked and that would get annoying real quick.
1 Like

i didn’t know this was a thing, i’ll see if i can change it, sorry

Edit: it’s fixed, that’s my bad y’all

yep that’s what i’m planning on anyways

2 Likes

to add context: you can heart as many of the games you want, the ones that are most hearted i’ll put into a poll. “semi-finals” → “finals” basically

1 Like

Blockquote I was so ecstatic about the thread and posting I didn’t even read that’s how we’re voting lol I just hearted automatically

same honestly LOL

going to suggest Alba: a wildlife adventure.

1 Like

Sigh… I’m opening out swinging!

I propose Cave Story

Another selfish decision, this one on my part for one very important game.

I am overdue a replay and like many of my era, my first indie game (unless you count the endless stream of Sonic Fan Games I tore through)

  • HLTB has main (7½ Hours) and Main + Side (9 Hours) which is within parameters to hit an ending.

  • Very easy to access (DO NOT GIVE NICALIS YOUR MONEY)

  • The reputation of this game is well earned and I just wish to share with those who haven’t experienced it

  • I don’t wish to say anything more for fear of ruining the experience for those new to Cave Story

7 Likes

ZeroRanger, no question.

4 Likes