<![CDATA[Universal Gaming - Reviews, Guides, & Let's Plays]]>

<![CDATA[Universal Gaming - Reviews, Guides, & Let's Plays]]> https://universalgaming.net/ Tue, 21 Apr 2026 08:51:37 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Pokemon X]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=1735 Tue, 23 Apr 2024 09:37:44 -0700 Dragon Lord]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=1735
So that's where this topic comes in. I labeled it a "Let's Play", even though it's not really going to be much of one, but it's the only label I felt was appropriate for my goal here.

So, as everyone knows, I'm fairly picky with what Pokemon I like, especially from newer generations where I take the boomer route of sitting there going, 'Back in my day, Pokemon designs were actually good!"

So how do I fix that? Lord knows I'll never actually do it myself, so instead I'll let you guys decide what Pokemon I use. That's right, ya'll get to decide each and every single Pokemon in my team.

Now, I'm not quite sure yet on how I'm going to go about deciding what Pokemon I catch from routes yet. Maybe I can just list all the Pokemon available in a route and you guys can name the one you think I should get and use, and we'll see if we can get any where that way. Obviously the starter is easy, and of course I can't start a play through without knowing my starter, so we'll start with deciding that first.

Who do I take as my starter?

1) Fennekin
2) Froakie
3) Chespin
4) Only use starter until you obtain your second Pokemon (if this option wins, then I'll just pick whichever I feel like since it'll be ditched anyways)

Either list the name or 1/2/3 for whatever starter you want me to use. Which ever one gets the most votes will be chosen, or if there's a tie I'll just flip a coin to decide it. Also, if anyone has any suggestions for how I should go about deciding which Pokemon I can catch, let me know. We can either do it on a route-to-route basis, or we could just decide the entire team from the start and I can only catch those Pokemon when I eventually get to them.

Also, might as well get this out of the way too, but yes/no to using a Gen 1 starter. If you say yes, please also list which of the Gen1 starters you want me to take.

I may or may not post updates on the play through here once I get started on it, depending on how lazy I feel about it.]]>
So that's where this topic comes in. I labeled it a "Let's Play", even though it's not really going to be much of one, but it's the only label I felt was appropriate for my goal here.

So, as everyone knows, I'm fairly picky with what Pokemon I like, especially from newer generations where I take the boomer route of sitting there going, 'Back in my day, Pokemon designs were actually good!"

So how do I fix that? Lord knows I'll never actually do it myself, so instead I'll let you guys decide what Pokemon I use. That's right, ya'll get to decide each and every single Pokemon in my team.

Now, I'm not quite sure yet on how I'm going to go about deciding what Pokemon I catch from routes yet. Maybe I can just list all the Pokemon available in a route and you guys can name the one you think I should get and use, and we'll see if we can get any where that way. Obviously the starter is easy, and of course I can't start a play through without knowing my starter, so we'll start with deciding that first.

Who do I take as my starter?

1) Fennekin
2) Froakie
3) Chespin
4) Only use starter until you obtain your second Pokemon (if this option wins, then I'll just pick whichever I feel like since it'll be ditched anyways)

Either list the name or 1/2/3 for whatever starter you want me to use. Which ever one gets the most votes will be chosen, or if there's a tie I'll just flip a coin to decide it. Also, if anyone has any suggestions for how I should go about deciding which Pokemon I can catch, let me know. We can either do it on a route-to-route basis, or we could just decide the entire team from the start and I can only catch those Pokemon when I eventually get to them.

Also, might as well get this out of the way too, but yes/no to using a Gen 1 starter. If you say yes, please also list which of the Gen1 starters you want me to take.

I may or may not post updates on the play through here once I get started on it, depending on how lazy I feel about it.]]> <![CDATA[Antstream Arcade for Xbox Review]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=1633 Mon, 09 Oct 2023 18:29:11 -0700 Frank]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=1633 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKDLxHSDiDc

My latest video is a quick review of my first couple months using Antstream Arcade on Xbox. Now it needs to come to PS5 and Switch Tongue

]]> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKDLxHSDiDc

My latest video is a quick review of my first couple months using Antstream Arcade on Xbox. Now it needs to come to PS5 and Switch Tongue

]]> <![CDATA[The Callisto Protocol Xbox Series X Review]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=1275 Fri, 13 Jan 2023 07:40:47 -0800 Frank]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=1275 https://maroonersrock.com/the-callisto-p...ox-review/

I totally dropped the ball and meant to post this back in December. My bad!

Taking away any comparisons, it's a solid 7/10. The site I work with, it calculated to a 7.4. I haven't completed a DS game, so my opinion may be a bit skewed from most. I'm hoping to have an opportunity to review the Dead Space Remake. I think it'd be a fun perspective coming from someone who beat Callisto BEFORE Dead Space.]]> https://maroonersrock.com/the-callisto-p...ox-review/

I totally dropped the ball and meant to post this back in December. My bad!

Taking away any comparisons, it's a solid 7/10. The site I work with, it calculated to a 7.4. I haven't completed a DS game, so my opinion may be a bit skewed from most. I'm hoping to have an opportunity to review the Dead Space Remake. I think it'd be a fun perspective coming from someone who beat Callisto BEFORE Dead Space.]]> <![CDATA[Atari 50 Review]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=1187 Sun, 13 Nov 2022 17:43:24 -0800 Frank]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=1187

I won't spoil my thoughts. Tongue

]]>

I won't spoil my thoughts. Tongue

]]> <![CDATA[Frank's Five - Games To Play On Halloween Day!]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=1179 Thu, 27 Oct 2022 13:08:01 -0700 Frank]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=1179

This hauntingly special episode features spooktacular games you should play this Halloween!]]>

This hauntingly special episode features spooktacular games you should play this Halloween!]]> <![CDATA[HexGaming PS5 Rival Pro Controller Review]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=1164 Tue, 18 Oct 2022 07:29:46 -0700 Frank]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=1164 Moonface and a few others were interested in hearing about my final opinions. I finished the review last week and totally forgot to post...HexGaming PS5 Rival Pro Controller Review

[Image: 20221005_135953.jpg]

https://maroonersrock.com/ps5-rival-pro-...er-review/

The announcement of Sony's official Dualsense Edge reminded me to post this here. I'm honestly a bit conflicted, as I don't know if I particularly like the design of Sony's official offering.

I think I'll need to wait until if/when I get my hands on a Dualsense Edge, to really compare the two side by side.]]> <![CDATA[Pac-Man World Re-Pac Video Review]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=1154 Thu, 29 Sep 2022 19:35:09 -0700 Frank]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=1154 a digital Steam of the game was provided by Namco for the purpose of review.

This is likely going to be the last video review for a little while since I want to focus more on my Frank's Five series.

I also did a written review of it, you're welcome to check it out as well, although the video is more fun Tongue

https://opencritic.com/critic/7093/frank-v-

I'll still be doing written reviews here and there, just would like to focus the video creativity on other things!]]> a digital Steam of the game was provided by Namco for the purpose of review.

This is likely going to be the last video review for a little while since I want to focus more on my Frank's Five series.

I also did a written review of it, you're welcome to check it out as well, although the video is more fun Tongue

https://opencritic.com/critic/7093/frank-v-

I'll still be doing written reviews here and there, just would like to focus the video creativity on other things!]]> <![CDATA[Operation Darkness [Xbox 360] - This time, with sound!]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=831 Tue, 02 Feb 2021 21:04:45 -0800 Maniakkid25]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=831
]]>
]]> <![CDATA[The AC:NH Inspiration Series - Volume 5]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=778 Wed, 28 Oct 2020 15:49:34 -0700 Moonface]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=778 The AC:NH Inspiration Series

Volume 5

Hi everyone, and welcome to another volume of The AC:NH Inspiration Series! I'm always coming across lots of cool island ideas or pattern designs for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and what better way to share and keep track of them all than with this series? Grin

Exterior Inspiration
You can never have too many ideas for your little slice of island paradise.

Interior Inspiration
Ideas to help transform your home into something you'll love spending time in.

Pattern Designs
Making patterns is fun, but perhaps you can save some time by utilizing these pre-made pattern designs by other players! You can find many more on this website, but as it isn't guaranteed to have everything anyone makes (especially on social media) that's why this section is still present.

Well, that's everything for this volume of The AC:NH Inspiration Series. I hope you've seen some inspirational things for your own islands, and if you find anything inspirational you'd like to have featured on a future volume, feel free to shoot me a PM. ^_^

]]> The AC:NH Inspiration Series

Volume 5

Exterior Inspiration
You can never have too many ideas for your little slice of island paradise.

Interior Inspiration
Ideas to help transform your home into something you'll love spending time in.

]]> <![CDATA[The AC:NH Inspiration Series - Volume 4]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=725 Wed, 22 Jul 2020 18:20:03 -0700 Moonface]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=725 The AC:NH Inspiration Series

Volume 4

Exterior Inspiration
You can never have too many ideas for your little slice of island paradise.

Interior Inspiration
Ideas to help transform your home into something you'll love spending time in.

Bonus! How to glitch trees onto cliff edges: https://twitter.com/kkgumb0/status/1273697724257300480

Well, that's everything for this volume of The AC:NH Inspiration Series. I hope you've seen some inspirational things for your own islands, and if you find anything inspirational you'd like to have featured on a future volume, feel free to shoot me a PM. ^_^

]]> The AC:NH Inspiration Series

Volume 4

Exterior Inspiration
You can never have too many ideas for your little slice of island paradise.

Interior Inspiration
Ideas to help transform your home into something you'll love spending time in.

]]> <![CDATA[Digimon World Data Squad: Bigger, Longer, and...]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=710 Wed, 17 Jun 2020 08:11:21 -0700 Maniakkid25]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=710

So, the old guard will probably remember back on an older version of this forum, I posted a review of Digimon World Data Squad as my first ever review. And maybe some of you remember that I also mentioned I have a script for me to do a video review with. Well, I'm finally putting some demons to rest after more than a decade of them giving me hell, and you can watch! Let me tell you...it feels good to finally be able to put this to bed.

For your viewing pleasure, it's available in three parts, or one long mega-cut that is literally 64 minutes long.

Parts 1-3 in a playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...BJfH37UxNP

Mega-cut: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PnkZTFw1BY

And now that they are all uploaded, I can't believe I have to say this: I must apologize for any ads that play during part 3 and the mega-cut. I got Content ID'd for using Ryuusei, the 2nd Ending theme from Digimon Savers. This impressed me, considering I used footage from 4 different games, and the anime, AND the goddamn Transformers Movie! But no, no copyright deadlock, just Ryuusei. I'm not gonna remove that song, btw; it's far too thematically appropriate.]]>

So, the old guard will probably remember back on an older version of this forum, I posted a review of Digimon World Data Squad as my first ever review. And maybe some of you remember that I also mentioned I have a script for me to do a video review with. Well, I'm finally putting some demons to rest after more than a decade of them giving me hell, and you can watch! Let me tell you...it feels good to finally be able to put this to bed.

For your viewing pleasure, it's available in three parts, or one long mega-cut that is literally 64 minutes long.

Parts 1-3 in a playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...BJfH37UxNP

Mega-cut: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PnkZTFw1BY

And now that they are all uploaded, I can't believe I have to say this: I must apologize for any ads that play during part 3 and the mega-cut. I got Content ID'd for using Ryuusei, the 2nd Ending theme from Digimon Savers. This impressed me, considering I used footage from 4 different games, and the anime, AND the goddamn Transformers Movie! But no, no copyright deadlock, just Ryuusei. I'm not gonna remove that song, btw; it's far too thematically appropriate.]]> <![CDATA[The AC:NH Inspiration Series - Volume 3]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=688 Wed, 03 Jun 2020 09:59:55 -0700 Moonface]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=688 The AC:NH Inspiration Series

Volume 3

Hi everyone, and welcome to another (slightly late) volume of The AC:NH Inspiration Series! I'm always coming across lots of cool island ideas or pattern designs for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and what better way to share and keep track of them all than with this bi-weekly series? Grin

Exterior Inspiration
You can never have too many ideas for your little slice of island paradise.

Interior Inspiration
Ideas to help transform your home into something you'll love spending time in.

Pattern Designs
Making patterns is fun, but perhaps you can save some time by utilizing these pre-made pattern designs by other players! You can find many more on this website, but as it isn't guaranteed to have everything anyone makes (especially on social media) that's why this section is still present.

Well, that's everything for this volume of The AC:NH Inspiration Series. I hope you've seen some inspirational things for your own islands, and if you find anything inspirational you'd like to have featured on a future volume, feel free to shoot me a PM. ^_^

]]> The AC:NH Inspiration Series

Volume 3

Exterior Inspiration
You can never have too many ideas for your little slice of island paradise.

]]> <![CDATA[The AC:NH Inspiration Series - Volume 2]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=670 Mon, 11 May 2020 14:00:14 -0700 Moonface]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=670 The AC:NH Inspiration Series

Volume 2

Hi everyone, and welcome to the second volume of The AC:NH Inspiration Series! I'm always coming across lots of cool island ideas or pattern designs for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and what better way to share and keep track of them all than with this bi-weekly series? Grin

Exterior Inspiration
You can never have too many ideas for your little slice of island paradise.

Interior Inspiration
Ideas to help transform your home into something you'll love spending time in.

]]> The AC:NH Inspiration Series

Volume 2

Exterior Inspiration
You can never have too many ideas for your little slice of island paradise.

Interior Inspiration
Ideas to help transform your home into something you'll love spending time in.

]]> <![CDATA[The AC:NH Inspiration Series - Volume 1]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=669 Sun, 26 Apr 2020 13:39:12 -0700 Moonface]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=669 The AC:NH Inspiration Series

Volume 1

Hi everyone! So I've been seeing a lot of really cool island ideas or pattern designs around the internet for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and sharing everything I find in the discussion thread for the game would be far too much. Therefore I came up with this idea for a bi-weekly series where I can not only share lots of cool things, but also make it easy for me and you to easily keep track of things without having to keep saving screenshots or scrolling through our likes on social media. Tongue

This edition might be longer than future ones because I'm sharing everything I've seen since the game released. Also, I'm not sure on the name for this series still, so if anyone has a suggestion for what we can call this, then I'll be happy to hear them! ^_^

Exterior Inspiration
You can never have too many ideas for your little slice of island paradise.

Well, that's everything I could find without my browser screaming at me for scrolling too far on Twitter and Reddit, but I'm sure there's plenty here to give all of you some ideas for your islands! If you find anything inspirational you'd like to have featured on a future volume, feel free to shoot me a PM. ^_^

]]> The AC:NH Inspiration Series

Volume 1

Exterior Inspiration
You can never have too many ideas for your little slice of island paradise.

]]> <![CDATA[An Aspie Life]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=542 Fri, 29 Nov 2019 01:10:16 -0800 Maniakkid25]]> https://universalgaming.net/showthread.php?tid=542 [Image: header.jpg?t=1536847661]

This is going to be a little different to how I do reviews. For one thing, I won’t be scoring this. For another, I’m going to start out with how I feel about this game: I hate it. And I want you to keep reading, because it’s important for you to understand why it is I feel this way.

For those that are unaware, “Aspie” is a diminutive form of “Asperger’s”. This refers to Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of Autism Spectrum Disorder, specifically a form of High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder. It’s a term usually used in good faith, so don’t worry about sprinkling it in your vocabulary. (Edit: due to recent developments, this characterization of the term is no longer accurate post-2020. The community is currently trying to distance themselves from Asperger and all things relating to him due to him being...well, a Nazi.) Indeed, the game is ostensibly developed by a person with said disorder, and wanted to share his experience with the world in the best way he knew how: video games.

In the game, you play as an Aspie whose roommate one day disappears, and you basically have to fend for yourself. You do this by completing various tasks that are listed in your journal (a coping mechanism often found in this disorder to make sure they remember to do necessary tasks outside of their interests), along with various tips for interacting with people. You think this wouldn’t be necessary, but you have to type in your responses to people rather than just pick a multiple choice boilerplate response. Obviously, the game looks for keywords, and the game reacts accordingly. But it makes you need those tips, because you are constantly walking on eggshells when talking with people. Indeed, when I tried to interact with a bank teller, despite attempting to follow the guide exactly, my character’s own actions betrayed me, as he looks away while waiting for you to type your response, and she kicked me out due to me looking suspicious. As well, a simple act as walking outside is made difficult as you have to constantly press alternate keys to keep your senses in control, as the loud noises and sensory overload harms your character. This makes something as simple as walking down the street far more difficult than it sounds, as you just try to make sure your character doesn’t break down in the middle of the road, and that’s assuming you don’t get stopped by anyone.

One of the art decisions that was deliberately made is that strangers are cloaked in darkness. This represents how your character feels about the person and, more importantly, makes it impossible to read their reactions. Given the known problems Autistic people have with social intricacies, this is obviously done on purpose. People you get to know better do become more visible as time goes on, making it easier to understand how it is your statements affect them. But for everyone else, it’s like reading a computer; you have only the words to go on, which is yet another reason to need the tips in the journal to talk to people.

There’s more to the game, like how your character uses video games in order to “de-stress” and recover, but I will be honest, I haven’t gotten very far in it. And that’s because I hated playing this game. Every word I typed, every movement I made, every single thing I had to do, I hated.

Because I’m playing me.

This game is an important reminder to me: my situation is not unique. As someone with Asperger’s Syndrome, this felt like just a day in the life, trying to make sure I keep everything in check. I speak to people I don’t know softly, purposely making sure to use specific, hard-learned greetings and stock phrases because I’m afraid of how the other person will react. I was playing myself in this game, and I hate that.

Someone with Asperger’s or High-Functioning Autism is almost, in some ways, worse off than someone with Low-Functioning Autism. Because while a Low-Functioning person will never be able to live their own life, we suffer silently. When I tell people I’m Autistic, they always say the same thing: “You don’t come off that way.” We can fake being “normal”. We HAVE to fake being “normal”. We’re always afraid of the other end of the conversation, worried that the wrong movement or wrong word will set someone off. If we don’t know you, we are afraid of you. So while I hate this game, if you have any reason to want to understand what it can be like for someone like me, I implore you to play this game.

But most importantly, I want you to understand the same thing that this reminds me of: no matter what it is you are going through, you are not isolated. You are not the only one who is going through what you are. We are ALL struggling, so tell someone. Whether it’s a friend you trust or a therapist you know won’t talk, tell them everything. We are all struggling, so we need to struggle together. Thank you for reading this.]]> [Image: header.jpg?t=1536847661]