4 out of 5
Sister Location Review: You can (finally) run, but it won’t matter
Early on in Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location, I needed to crawl under a desk and close a metal grate behind me that looks like it got hit by a driveby. A woman’s voice guided me under there for protection, and I decided to trust her. That’s usually a bad choice in horror games, but what the hell. Another female voice started calling out for me; it ended its monologue with “knock knock.” I then had to repeatedly grab hold of the metal grate and prevent it from being pried open by… whatever was out there. Only when she finally left did I finally come to a startling realization: I was moving in a Five Nights at Freddy’s game. And I didn’t like it, because no longer was the danger coming for me—instead, I may have been walking into it.
For those who aren’t familiar with Five Nights at Freddy’s, imagine working the nightshift at Chuck E Cheese. Then imagine the worst case scenario for that job: the animatronics have come to life and want to kill you, but you need to stay in the office, because video games. When the first installment came out, it was hailed as one of the scariest games in recent memory. It did, in my opinion, rely a bit to heavily on jump scares, but the sound effects, music, and atmosphere were all there. Five Nights 2 upped the ante with more animatronics, more gameplay mechanics, and generally just more awfulness for players. The third game in the series, in my mind, fell a little short, as only a single animatronic on the hunt takes away some of the suspense. (It was also the easiest of the series, by far, which left the gaming vet in me disappointed.) Then Five Nights 4 dropped and righted the ship, as you no longer had to sit in that terrible office for no apparent reason. Instead, you play as a little kid who seems to be having terrible nightmares about the animatronics breaking into your room at night, a much more plausible scenario. I am almost positive that instead of the monsters actually coming to get me, it was all in my head.
It’s therefore only fitting that Sister Location takes place in a facility that seems to be miles underground. Industrial, cold, and dark, this appears to be some sort of facility for testing or storing the animatronics at night after they are rented out for parties during the day. More nefarious plans seem to be in motion, however, as the voice instructing you on your nightly chores often contradicts a second voice which tells you not to trust the first. Which side is lying? That’s up to the player to decide, but my guess is “both.”
Leaving pizzerias behind is not groundbreaking for the series; 3 took place in a museum dedicated to the first two restaurants, and 4, as discussed, was in a child’s bedroom. What is groundbreaking, though, is the variety between gameplay mechanics on each night. To avoid one animatronic, you need to stop moving when you hear her music approaching you. Another is motion activated and requires quick steps when the lights are turned on. A third is scared away by an audio recording while you frantically switch back and forth between checking on his location and returning power to the station. I’m currently stuck on Night 4, where small animatronic puppets attempt to attack me. Half of the time I need to “wiggle” to shake them off, while furiously trying to keep a set of spring locks from getting too loose. So not only do we have different mechanics from the first four games, you have a new challenge each night. That may not sound big, but trust me, it makes all the difference in the world If you’ve played any of the predecessors, you’ll notice just how different this is than the maddening but repetitive “check the cameras, check the room” mechanics we’ve grown accustomed to. I’m very thankful Cawthon decided to make these changes to Sister Location, because, while the story flourished, the games themselves were stagnating. Crawling through a dark auditorium with an animatronic fox on the hunt added huge levels of intensity and terror that sitting alone behind a desk no longer presented.
via tvtropes.org
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location is an excellent addition to a franchise that needed a new spark of genius. While I remain stuck on the fourth night, I’m still fairly certain that it will end with more mystery rather than clarity. Animatronics still jump out at you and try to stuff you into a suit, but now that I am entering their world rather than the other way around, the ambiance goes above the cheap scream and becomes truly frightening. If you’re looking for a creepy game to play this Halloween month, look no further.
The North remembers.
In the universe of Game of Thrones, scenes’ before the opening theme are constant for the first episode of every season. For example, two great scenes that come to mind are the three Night’s Watchmen hunted down by White Walkers in season one or Tywin Lannister melting down house Stark’s sword Ice for Jamie and Geoffrey, season four. On the other hand, the opening scene of season is just plain horrific but awesome at the same time. Nothing is more satisfying then watching all the men of House Frey choke on their own blood after being reminded of the Red Wedding. It was an absolute grand-slam and took off perfectly from where we last saw Aryain season 6.
The North remembers.
Right after the credits we get a quick reminder of the army of the dead, and with more bad news; Giant white walkers. But thankfully we are intercepted by Bran warding into one of them which seems like a very useful ability (what’s next dragon’s or an ice dragon?). He is now with
the Watchers on the Wall and back in the mix, hopefully heading for Winterfell where he can inform Jon he is a Targaryan (This will be hype! I wonder if he can be burnt by fire!). Bran’s story has taken a back seat to other prevalent Starks but it’s nice to see him in the mix, demonstrating his power.
Next, we have psycho Cersei and her sane, lover brother Jaime. I still can’t forgive him for pushing Bran from the tower but I am starting to come around. The disapproving way he has been looking at Cersei dating back to last season says it all. From confronting her about
Tommen’s suicide, to questioning her about the enemies created (Targaryans, Tyrells, Starks, Dornish, and Half the Iron Borne) and the lifeless dynasty they will continue. He keeps his position with Cersei discussing what allies they have left but Jaime is clearly becoming distant and realizing the extent of his lover/sister’s delusion. I forecast a remake of the tale of “The King Slayer” retitled “The Queen Slayer”. In the mean time, the diabolical Yuron Greyjoy, the new king of the Iron Islands rekindles the bond between the Lannisters to move him into a prime position to become King of The Seven (three at this point) Kingdoms. He is presented as a lot more cunning and rounded character kissing up to the Queen and promising her a gift, whether that be Tyrion, and/or a thousand ship armada. What will be interested is how Jaime responds to a marriage between them, because Cersei and Yuron have a demonistic chemistry. She even abides by him making hand jokes and death threats (killing his brother, telling her to do the same). This was a fantastic scene all the while, and it really shows if Cersei get’s close to Yuron and isolates Jamie she will create yet another enemy.
We then get to a short snippet of Samwell Tally’s horrific, grotesque life as a server at the Citadel preparing to become the maester of Castle Black. There is a massive scene which shows him preparing food, cleaning and handling old people plumbing. What’s intriguing is the un-thrones like comedic cut between him doing his daily work; It’s funny and it’s not a bad idea to lighten the tone up because Tyrion used to be the comedy for us in the earlier seasons. Samwell helps the archmaester with the dissection of a corpse where he confirms his thoughts of the White Walkers. What was kind of cheap for me was his simple way of finding dragon glass through a book in the restricted section. It seemed too easy for Game of Thrones, like something you would see Hermione Granger find in the “restricted section”. Hopefully there is more too this but it was kind of stale and forced
Oh wait, Ed Sheeran? I didn’t see it coming, and I thought it was weird but acceptable. It was obviously him having an in with the producers and wanting a cameo role, but he has pure, angelic voice and creates a sympathetic feeling for the Lannister troops that brings out the non-assassin in Arya. She tells them she’s on her way to kings landing to “kill the queen” and it’s not taking seriously which shows how dangerous she has become. But what I see from this is season two when Mellisandre said there is a darkness in her. This darkness has come to fruition and it will be interesting to see how this is received by the remaining Starks. Besides the randomness of Ed Sheeran, I thought this really grounded Arya.
Sandor Clegane and the brotherhood without banners are now at a place he would rather not be; an old victim’s house where Clegane took their silver and resources. They find the father and daughter dead, holding each other. This almost creates an epiphany for the character, asking why the child dies, and fellow brother Beric Dondarion should be brought back. Then the flames get him, showing him the army of the dead and the reality of the larger issue at hand. I think we will see a more compliant hound the rest of this season. I’ve loved this character from the beginning and his arch is getting much broader for the better. I predict a positive change in attitude for the hound.
Finally, the Queen of Dragons, Breaker of Chains, Denarys Stormborn is finally home. From season one this is the only thing she has wanted. But now, she has an army of unsullied, the Dothraki and there gigantic Dragons. The final scene of her tearing down the Baratheon banner and taking her spot among her ancestors war table was breathtaking. It was a long, drawn out scene but the character deserves this and it has been a long time waiting. Fire and blood seem to be the strongest motto of any house right now, and it will for sure be enforced upon the Lannisters. My prediction although is that she won’t penetrate King’s Landing because of Cersei’s ruthlessness and George R.R Martin curveball tendency. Whit I think everyone is looking forward to is the meeting with Jon Snow that will eventually happen. It will be interesting if she commands him to bend the knee (he better not, he’s the rightful heir of the Taragaryan house and not a usurper like Daenarys)! This episode was a great starting block for the season while still providing notable and exciting action.
Rest in peace, watermelon.
The latest episodes in ‘Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid’ were very interesting to watch.
One was definitely a fanservice episode, and heck, even the producers know that! Episode 7’s title contains the phrase ‘The Fanservice Episode, Obviously’, so that cracked me up.
Episode 7 focuses on the elements of anime that will appeal to any nerd out there. By that, of course I mean bathing suits and comic conventions! Cue the beach episode!
Tohru and company decide to go swimming for the day. Kanna’s adorable as always, while Lucoa doesn’t realize just how sexual she is toward a small boy.
Like, really? You think wearing a very sexy swimsuit in front of a lot of kids on a beach is okay? And why do you insist on torturing Shouta with your breasts? It’s obvious that he’s tempted, but stop trying to seduce small children.
Of course, they’re dragons, so hilarious antics ensue. Tohru and Kanna get carried away in a swimming race, making water splash up everywhere. Also, a crab and watermelon are murdered. RIP.
However, one aspect that I thought was a nice touch was the backstory we got for Tohru. It wasn’t much, but Tohru and Kobayashi have a deep and meaningful conversation about their family’s lives, as well as how humans and dragons are different from one another. Fanservice episodes usually focus on that alone, but fortunately that’s not the case here.
The second half of Episode 7 focuses on Comiket. Tohru and Kobayashi help Takiya run a booth, and we learn that Fafnir is also participating by attempting to sell powerful curses. Wow, didn’t see thaaaaat coming at all.
Tohru notices otherworldly creatures in their true forms at Comiket, as they reveal that this is a great way to show their true forms. With Kobayashi’s permission, Tohru exposes her wings and tail, appearing to others as if she’s cosplaying as, well, a dragon maid.
Episode 7 was very nice because there were many heartfelt and adorable moments.
Meanwhile, Episode 8 FINALLY introduced the dragon that I keep on mentioning in my reviews. Her name’s Elma, a dragon who is a rival of Tohru’s. Elma accuses Tohru of disrupting the human’s ways and tries to force her to return to the dragon world. This doesn’t succeed, however, as Tohru sends her to an open field and leaves her there.
Unable to get back home, Elma stays in the human world and begins working at Kobayashi’s company. Kobayashi teaches Elma how to use computers and technology so that she can keep her job. Of course, this prompts Tohru to become jealous, smelling the scent of another dragon off Kobayashi like a dog does with a human. I won’t reveal how the episode ends, but it ends in a positive manner for Tohru.
Overall, I really loved these two episodes because they made me feel warm and fuzzy. They appealed to the emotional senses through a heartfelt conversation between Kobayashi and Tohru. Elma is also an innocent sweetheart who only wants to bring harmony to the human and dragon worlds. And I can’t wait to see more of her in the upcoming episodes.
I feel like in these two episodes alone, we learned so much about Tohru and her feelings for Kobayashi. She really wants to understand the human world and will do anything to stay with Kobayashi.
I’ll up my rating to a 4.7. These episodes were both fun, and we finally got the new dragon! Bless.
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