Hey all! Figured that now would be as good a time as any to finally add some stuff to my profile! Well, I'm Thunderbird013, and here are a few things about myself! I like to see myself as at least somewhat of an intellectual, and tend to like my fanfics realistic, and well written. It could be as wacky as possible, but a story being grounded in reality (even if that reality is totally bonkers) is hugely important if I am to become invested. I had similar tastes in games, but I'm also all for anything Nintendo throws out. Serious games with intense plots, deep stories, and fascinating symbolism still tend to be my favorites though.

Favorite Games:

10: Portal 2

This is just a really fun game, both in gameplay and in character. Not necessary in its characters (although those are fantastic too), but the game's atmosphere just manages to be so fun while maintaining a very visible edge of seriousness. It has its woes, but its definitely a fun puzzle experience.

9: XCOM 2

What a cool game this is. I haven't actually completed it fully myself, but I just find it hilarious that ChristopherOdd's Lets Play of it on Youtube could carve together such great characters. It was a journey, going through, seeing the community's characters grow, develop, and kick some serious alien butt. Is it a great game too? Certainly, its strategic gameplay is top notch, and a joy to unravel.

8: Shadow of the Colossus

Hey, look at that. The posterchild of art in video game form. Is it overrated? Yes. Do I overrate it? Yes. It is just so incredible. Even with the remake, I still prefer the original (even if the remake is an extremely honorable homage). The PS2 just completes that awkward feeling of isolation that it was going for, and everything from the music, to the world, to the titular colossi all harmonize into a complete package of a unique and complete experience.

7: Journey

Ah, what a game. It's barely a few hours long, but it harnesses such a unique aesthetic experience. Beautiful is the best work to describe it - heart wrenching without even a single word of dialogue. If you play it, don't play it like a game. Let it flow, and be natural.

6: Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney

Yes, I know. It's the worst one. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't care. The Ace Attorney series is incredible, being filled with such a great balance of comedy and intense storytelling, but this one just resonates with me more than the others. I fell that it has the most complete and satisfying story of them all, as it, in my opinion, actually wants to tell a full story instead of just saving a huge climactic event for the end. And, I feel it is a bit more serious at points too. Yes, half a case is all about panties, but everything else is filled with very realistic characters that lack some of the goofiness that turns me away from many other characters in the franchise.

5: Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Yes, I know. It's the worst one too. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't care. This is one of my more indulgent favorites, but the nostalgia it has with me is extraordinary. Is there any other reason why I like it so much? No, not really. I know its gameplay is flawed, but I see it as the game that roped me in to the world of gaming. And that theme! Nothing can be compared to the emotions that its glorious theme wrings out of me. It's so complete, like it understands that half the glory of the game if found in blending all of its cultural icons, and everything they stand for, together.

4: Bioshock Infinite

Whew, this game. It really takes some incredibly serious topics by the horns, and runs wild with them. Even if the plot is honestly pretty ridiculous and stupid once you think about it, the way it strings its characters along is unparalleled. Its story is heavy though, and left me feeling sincerely downtrodden by some of its happenings. And, its actually a really cool action game too, with what I consider to be a nearly ideal blend of gunplay and other tricks.

3: Persona 4

What can I say about this game that hasn't already been said? This game, its characters, its story, its psychological symbolism, and its entirety have had such a huge impact in my life. It really showed me what a game could really do in terms of storytelling and character development. It stands as a titan in my mind as one of the greatest games ever made, and, if by some miracle, you haven't heard of it, than dive right on and kiss your free time goodbye!

2: The Witness

Ah, Jonathan Blow's Magnum Opus, the Witness. I am so glad this auteur didn't stop after Braid, because this... experience is indescribable. Yes, it is a puzzle game, but its more traditional aspects veil philosophical ideals that are as deep as oceans. If you like to see the world from and inquisitive and open minded perspective, look here. You'll find everything from religious, scientific, philosophical, metaphysical, and existential ramblings that have fully enraptured me, and they've all been presented beautifully in The Witness's island of exploration and beauty.

1: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors

This game holds such a special place in my heart. I can still remember me sweating like crazy underneath my covers, staying up until 7 in the morning to finish binging the glorious Let's Play I found - my first experience of the game. I was just so hooked to the story. It was equal parts thrilling, haunting, engaging, fantastic, and extraordinary. Although some people might feel it's a bit campy (especially the PC remake which is so inferior to the original DS version for several reasons. Fight me), I can't help but lauding it as one of of my favorite stories of all time. If you have the opportunity, PLAY IT. Or, if you can't find the DS version or can't play it, watch NicoB's Let's Play on Youtube. Just please, experience this masterpiece.

Favorite Youtubers:

5: Nerdcubed

I don't watch as much of his stuff as I used to, but as a person, I can't help but respect the guy. He genuinely seems like such a smart person, who actually thinks things through. Sure, he absolutely looks explosions and chaos, but he knows his quality too. Whenever there's some controversy in the gaming - or real - world, you can always count on Dan to have a reasoned opinion.

4:Extra Credits

As an intellectual who still loves enjoying games, the work that this team does is extremely important to me. Their work focuses on education, be it on game design, applications of games in modern society, or just plain old history. Knowing that there are people out there, giving a good argument for games, fills me with great joy.

3:Truegreen7

By far, Ron is my favorite Poketuber. His content is always of the highest quality and his insights into Pokemon and their origins are incredibly revelatory. The degree to which some Pokemon have such deep and symbolic roots never would've been revealed to me without him. Hopefully he gains even more success as he keeps going!

2:Northernlion

Ah, good old egghead, never ceasing to be a constant source of droll humor. Never has another Youtuber felt like just an adult playing games, having extremely tangential and self deprecating stories about life. Ryan's both the king of zaniness and novelty and the blandest man alive all at once, and it's fantastic.

1: NicoB

Wow, this guy. He just seems like such a goodnatured personality, who loves entertaining the world around him with his wacky voices. And, I have never seen such a fun, kind, and inviting community. Nico runs one of the most wholesome (if not incredibly inappropriate at times) channels on Youtube, and consistently makes my day brighter because of it.