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They say that a person who ages beautifully is just like “fine wine.” What does that mean? It means that the more a liquor is left to mature, the tastier it becomes and, by default, the more expensive. Quality equals a stellar price; this is how it’s always been. So, what exactly does the most expensive liquor in the world contain in order to justify the insane amount of money the acquiring of a mere single bottle requires?
Despite being a commercial failure upon its initial release, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines is still growing strong. Although ostensibly causing developer Troika Games to go under several months later and containing a notorious amount of bugs, the game was well liked by critics and continues to have a faithful cult following. One of the things Bloodlines is best known for is its writing. With such a large cast of highly memorable characters, it’s easy to see the reason. Which NPCs really drew you in or repelled you? Read on for a tentative top ten of Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines Characters.
As inhabitants of a routinely unfair class system, it’s only natural for us to want to live in luxury. We want the most expensive/overpriced food, drinks, services, and gizmos, attained at the expense of our hard-earned cash. Sometimes it’s nice to live a little above our income. However, sometimes we needlessly pay too much, and the less costly alternatives really wouldn’t be too much of a compromise. Here are the top 10 things we overpay for, assembled in no particular order. [Read more…]
Game lovers, unite. Yes, we purposely avoiding going down that path and invoking the “gamer” status that so many people argue over in YouTube comment sections. For a game to be a good one, what exactly does it need? There isn’t a single universal answer, such as video game music or graphics. That’s because some of the greatest video games in history managed to ascend to stardom by providing players with the perfect balance between every element.
It needs a good story, good characters, engaging gameplay, thrills and twists to keep our interest piqued, and an atmosphere. Let’s stay here for a while. The atmosphere can often make the difference. Take for example Amnesia: The Dark Descent and its status as one of the greatest horror games of all time. Despite not being riddled with jump-scares and gore all over the place, the constant feeling of dread and the building atmosphere are what made the whole experience.
And let’s be honest – nothing can contribute to a well-established atmosphere better than music. A game’s soundtrack is remembered as vividly as the experience, if not more, for the plain reason that you can always press play on your music player and revisit those tunes. So, based on how memorable the OST alone is, we give you the Top 10 Video Game Music We Will Never Forget.
Image Courtesy of Nintendo
When you think of orchestra music in video games, you need to give credit to Ocarina of Time for its presence. Composed by Koji Kondo, the tunes heard in the background of Link’s journey is as timeless as it is magical. Even though Kondo had previously worked on other notable projects (such as Mario 2, 3, and World), many argue that nothing neither he or Nintendo created after managed to surpass it.
Image Courtesy of Sony Computer Entertainment
No game has been given a more proper title than Journey. It may not be riddled with combat and action sequences, but the sheer atmosphere, messages, emotional value, and soundtrack managed to beat any other action-packed game. Having won several “Game of the Year” awards, its music, composed by Austin Wintory, was also rewarded for its three years of production with a nomination at the Grammy Awards.
Not many people have heard about Ico and it’s definitely a shame. An old-school PlayStation 2 game released in 2001, it tells the story of Ico and Yorda, two runaways who try to escape their fates as sacrifices for different people. Although the game lacked commercial success, it made it for it through critical recognition. It was a work of art by many means and Michiru Oshima’s music perfectly captures the vibes by tapping both into the light and the haunting sides of the story.
Considered to be one of the most influential soundtracks of all time, Chrono Trigger’s music was the result of relentless dedication from Yasunori Mitsuda’s side. Many sleepless nights, weariness, and even sickness served as obstacles but, nonetheless, it was Mistuda’s dream to break the time’s barrier and prove that video game music can be given just as much thought as anything else.
Image Courtesy of Sega
Back in the days when Sega was considered to be an underdog living at the mercy of the much more successful Nintendo, Sega managed to land a harsh blow on its competitor through the Sega Genesis. While Nintendo didn’t want to steer away from its family-friendly image, Sega released several titles much more oriented towards a mature audience. Street Fighter 2 was one of those violent, bloody, and grim examples, with the Yuzo Koshiro music that backed it up also dropping all chirpy soundtracks typical of Mario or Sonic the Hedgehog.
Image Courtesy of Sony Computer Entertainment
Remember when we talked about how a game needs all edges to be good in order to succeed? The Last of Us came out on top as one of the most acclaimed games of all time, receiving numerous accolades for the innovations it brought to storytelling, acting, and character development. The emotional factor balances out the dark post-apocalyptic landscape, and it’s fully complimented by Gustavo Santaolalla, writer of scores for Babel or Brokeback Mountain.
Speaking of acclaimed games, there isn’t a person who hasn’t heard of Silent Hill and the influence it had on all horror games that would be made from then on. The gameplay was innovative, the ambiance was atmospheric and filled with dread, and Akira Yamaoka’s score came as the perfect completion of the picture. Decades later, the static FM sound and the unsettling music still haunt the dreams of those who’ve played the game.
Through a silent consensus, the gaming word has come to the agreement that Final Fantasy VII is probably the greatest game of the franchise. However, there’s one place where it had its thunder stolen from. Its predecessor, Final Fantasy VI, gave us one of the most iconic soundtracks of gaming. Composer Nobuo Uematsu was just beginning his ascension through the writing for VI and managed to set his reputation in stone by the time it was finished.
Image Courtesy of Konami
A list without Castlevania would be no list at all. There are many titles to pick from, but we assumed that it was only natural for the one with the word “symphony” in it to come out on top in terms of music quality. Brought into the game by Michiru Yamane, Symphony of the Night’s soundtrack was treading on a very thin layer of ice with its risky techno – classical combos. Luckily for us, it turned out to be one of those rewarding risks.
Image Courtesy of Rockstar Games
Composed by the duo Bill Elm and Woody Jackson, the soundtrack for Red Dead Redemption mostly stood out through its unique partnership with the cinematography that managed to surprise everyone. They managed to prove that, not only does music matter and can be given a lot of narrative undertones, but that it can be even more impressive when packed with cinematic visuals worthy of matching those of Hollywood movies.
Your wedding day is said to be the most important day of your life, so why not make the best out of it? Future bridges spend copious amounts of hours (and money) on the dress of their dreams, and they want to ensure that everything is perfect to the smallest of details. However, if you truly want a unique and memorable experience that will get both you and your guests talking for years to come, then opt to tie the knot in one of these unique wedding venues.
Located only 30 minutes away from the urban buzz of Seattle, Treehouse Point manages to stand out by letting brides and grooms exchange vows in, you guessed, a treehouse. More than that, the landscape and nature that surround the treehouse do nothing but boost the magical vibes received at a ceremony hosted in such an environment. As if that wasn’t enough, you’ll be glad to know that you also get night accommodations!
For those couples who wish to keep it all rustic, nice, and simple, Sonora’s Union Hill Inn is the best place to head for. The inn oozes of familiarity, warmth, and a certain coziness that are guaranteed to make you feel like you’re at home. You can exchange rings in front of a peacefully crackling fireplace and spend the next two days at the inn, visiting Yosemite and Lake Tahoe to complete the experience.
Antique shops have always had this particular appeal to them, always making you feel like you’re traveling in time the moment you step through the threshold. This one allows you to do more than purchase vintage clocks since it’s available for booking as a wedding venue.
There are many places you can get married at and be in the heart of nature, free of any urban and technological distractions. But the Dunfillan Ruins offer one of the most memorable experiences. Arrange a table, some seats, all the other required elements of your dream wedding in the heart of some historical ruins with lots of stories behind them.
The Thorncrown Chapel is an architectural beauty made of roughly 6.000 square feet of glass. The design of the venue, almost entirely composed of glass walls and windows, is enough to make your wedding day a breathtaking experience. It doesn’t hurt that it’s spacious enough to seat 100 people either.
Mill City Museum is the perfect location for brides and grooms who have a knack for industrial locations and fancy the idea of exchanging vows in a such-themed venue. The museum was built amid the rusty ruins of a flour factory, and now it makes for an amazing location for all urban lovers.
The location of Vizcaya Museum is the closest you can get to Venice without actually having to travel to Italy. The unique setting is located in the heart of Miami, and it’s considered to be a gem for all couples who aspire for that European-feel wedding.
Weddings hosted among beautiful flowers and trees are always the epitome of classiness, but the Beaulieu Garden manages to stand out. The location is a green paradise, complete with serene-looking fountains and artsy sculptures.
Farmers everywhere, unite. Bear Flag Farm is everything that a lover of the rural could ever want. It’s located right next to a Ferris wheel, there are tall grain and vegetable crops to the side, and there is even a rusty truck parked nearby to complete the picturesque image.
For those of you who love camping, how about you do that for your wedding day too? Camp Wandawega is a resort that has its doors open for all outdoor enthusiasts who wish to exchange vows before heading to sleep the night away in a tent.
