“Buzzfeed Unsolved” Is Coming To An End.

For the last 5 years, Shane Madej and Ryan Bergara, the presenting duo better known as the “The Ghoul Boys”, have bore the intense strain of hoisting the spurious digital media outlet Buzzfeed, from the languid obscurity of arbitrary top 10’s and asinine Instagram compilations, deciding instead to end their involvement with the site’s “Unsolved” derivative. After 8 seasons of investigating “True Crime” cases and navigating Haunted asylums, Ryan and Shane are filing away their case reports and powering down the spirit box, to concentrate their efforts on their own YouTube channel “The Watcher”.

Whether it was bringing recognition to some esoteric mysterious many general audiences would be unaware of, or inciting demons – such as evicting the infamous “Goatman” from his own bridge – Shane and Ryan always did so with a wit and whimsy absent from their more fallacious contemporaries.

As a keen adherent to True Crime, in particular the unsolved variety, discovering something genuinely original amongst the retinue of stylised Netflix documentaries, indistinguishable from other similarly ubiquitous formats was rare. What made Shane & Ryan’s incarnate so interesting was their succinct, yet detailed insight into the cases.

Often no more than 30 minutes long, the case’s examined are focused on the most pertinent information, with the evidence submitted always pertaining to the incident being discussed. Without padding out the run-time with interviews or elaborate and dramatic reconstructions. Just providing the facts as they are, rather than trying to solve the case. Before positing various theories and discussing the potential validity of these suppositions. Some credible, others – such as the theories noted in the “Roanoke Colony disappearance” – less so.

Despite my preferential fascination for unsolved murders and my sceptical predilection for the paranormal, “Buzzfeed: Supernatural” is probably my favourite of the two shows. Ryan’s erstwhile enthusiasm for the paranormal, tempered by the sneering incredulity of Shane is what makes this kind of spurious ghost hunting so compelling. To me “Ghost Hunting” is a specialised vocation, as legitimate as a professional Candy Crush player or unicorn breeder. It’s Superstitious nonsense devised to placate the irrational psychological fear people have when entering old, dilapidated structures, that may have troubling history attached. Yet despite the pseudo science exhibited, Ryan’s keen desire to interpret every stifled clatter as an indication of spiritual communication, the show has no compunction in presenting the evidence as it is. Like their search for Bigfoot that resulted in them finding *gasp* nothing.

At the heart of all this is an authentic chemistry between the Ryan & Shane, that elevates both of these shows above their contemporaries. Two friends that can look beyond their very different perspectives on Ghosts and demons, come to a mutual concession that doesn’t invalidate one another’s personal opinions, nor compromise their friendship. Though probably more like siblings that deliberately rile one another up!

Whether you were a “Shaniac” or a “Boogara”, there was always intrigue, fun and involuntary (wheezing). Whatever happens I wish Ryan & Shane the best. And hope that perhaps the “Goulagans” will continue a series adjacent to this on their own channel. Though, for the time being at least, that question may remain “Unsolved”.

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What is your favourite episode of “Unsolved”? Let me know in the comments below. Cheers.

How “Retro Replay” Healed Me.

Let me give you some context. Around May of last year I was enduring a rather hideous time in my professional–and by extension– private life. The company I was working for were suffering from a severe financial crisis. Having been hemorrhaging money for such an extended period, the company had no alternative but to seek alternative assistance. The company was of moderate size, with employees that communicated with one another earnestly, with no compunction for professional discretion. We were friends more than we were co-workers, which reflected in our workaday discourse and the way in which we chose to communicate. As a result of our friendly, honest conversations we were already vaguely aware of the companies struggles with solvency. We just didn’t realise to what extent. “Strategic planners” (this is how they were introduced to us) were consulted to try and market the business to prospective investors. For the next couple of months we tried to carry on as if it were business as usual, gossiping anxiously amongst ourselves and hoping that a solution was being finalised between the necessary parties. I’m sure there were many critical meetings and discussions going on to ensure the continued existence of the business. Yet despite several companies expressing a keen and legitimate interest, with one in particular coming close, the company was unable to secure a buyer. And that was it. The company was plunged into liquidation. Redundancies were made. And a once thriving business was no more.

Fortunately for myself I had managed to secure employment somewhere else in the interim, allowing for an immediate move away, yet still allowing me to claim my rather moderate, but no less beneficial redundancy. However those couple of months of uncertainty were so demoralising, that it affected me both emotionally and mentally. The thought of not being able to provide for my family was palpable, which was always my primary consideration. So to feel publicly exposed as a failure, even though this was an indirect consequence of other people’s negligence, was incredibly agonizing for me. This was one of the rare occasions in my adult life where I felt that control, or at least the perception of it, was taken from me. Now what does this have to do with a YouTube channel, featuring two of the worlds most ubiquitous voice/motion capture performers? Well, quite a lot actually.

Sitting on a leather upholstered sofa, surrounded by a plethora of desirable curiosities of distinct cultural significance, that if I could “would” decorate my own home, two men discuss the psychological implications of being humped by a dog. These kind of anecdotal confessions are what most lesser content creators would shy away from. Yet Troy Baker and Nolan North confront these critical issues with sensitivity and sincere conviction. And it’s bloody hysterical! The official premise of “Retro Replay” for the uninitiated is that the aforementioned Drake brothers play classic, and not so classic games from yesteryear. A more accurate description however is that these two encouragable “Sunset Riders!” stray down conversational rabbit holes, with many sinuous tangents that bare little relation to the original topic they were discussing ten minutes ago. Oh, and play games, occasionally. Its like meeting up with your best friends for a midweek chat, except you’re not interrupting them with excerpts about your own boring week.

Its refreshing to watch two actual friends engage with one another the way friends actually would. Especially friends that aren’t being moderated by their respective partners. There’s an organic gregarity that resonates through their interactions. Conversing with a natural fluidity and spontaneity that you’d expect from people that have a genuine interest in what the other is saying. There’s no false pretense. No scripted diologue. Just two icons of the gaming industry, that just happen to be good friends, blessed with the fortunate opportunity to work together on a show that affords them the chance to drink, play games and talk crap. All with a sincerity that alludes far more popular YouTube channels.

Retro Replay got me through those rough couple of months illustrated above. Eliciting great comfort at a time I was at my most anxious. I remember getting home from a job interview, which I didn’t get, settling down on my sofa with some comfort food I’d purchased post interview. Exhaling deeply, stifling an exacerbated sigh and wasting close to 3 hours watching past episodes I’d missed just to alleviate the burden of impending unemployment. Retro Replay provided solace from the precarity of my life and continues to assauge the debilitating monotony of my current job.

Troy Baker. Uncle Noly (sounds creepier than I thought?). Thank you. I can’t wait to see what you play next.

Bring Back “Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door”.

Arlo, a blue puppet with an irresistibly pragmatic attitude towards the gaming industry, is petitioning Nintendo to remaster “Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door”. Using the hashtag: #RemasterTheThousandYearDoor. Arlo delivered an impassioned speech on his YouTube channel detailing the necessity to have TTYD remastered for the Switch. A series shamefully neglected and mishandled by Nintendo for far too long in my opinion. Originally released 15 years ago on the GameCube, an utterly confounding time frame considering it was nearly half my life time ago, TTYD concerns Mario retrieving seven crystal stars, located in various stylised locations and scenarios, to rescue Princess Peach from “not” Bowser. It was such a distinctive aberration to the Mario series that it’s regrettable that the sequels were so, pardon the pun, “flat” in comparison.

Prefacing his concise request for a remaster with a message, Arlo details that he can’t confidently consider himself a fan of the Paper Mario series, comparing it’s inconsistencies to that of “The Simpsons” regressive quality over the years, which is a analogy I can personally relate too. And it’s an interesting assessment. If we can’t get a sequel worthy of TTYD’s venerable standard, then why not remind ourselves of just how good this series could be. Especially after a 15 year absence. I’ve been a persistent advocate for this remaster since the Switch was released, but possessing neither the influence nor popularity that Arlo commands to help bring this dream to fruition. Will a little help from all of us of course.

Starting a conversation can at the very least illicit some recognition from Nintendo that “The Thousand Year Door” is worth salvaging from the bygone GameCube era. As well as a profitable endeavour for the company. If Rage Against The Machine can get a Christmas number one and Donald Trump can be elected President of something outside his own fan club, then surely there’s no reason for Nintendo to ignore a project that can quite easily, not to mention quickly be converted to the Switch.

Arlo, for what it’s worth, I’m with you. Let’s make Paper Mario great again!

#RemasterTheThousandYearDoor

Dead By Daylight: Screwing Me Out Of A Win!

I’ve been lucky enough to have had this entire week off work for the purposes of rest, relaxation and general hermetic convalescence. “Ah, what a tender dream that is”. If anything this “week off” has been more demanding than my actual job, owing to my girlfriends drunk related incident that resulted in her restricted mobility and a 4 hour stint at casualty. The injury itself, a twisted ankle, though clearly painful wasn’t as serious as first thought. The positive diagnosis has still prevented us from doing any of the activities we’d had planned for our rare time together due to her interim lack of lateral stability. So with this restriction in mind and sleep a premium thanks to my daughters insistence on waking up at 6 am, bless her, gaming has taken a back seat until the latter stages of the evening. Such is the cruel symmetry of life. It wasn’t until late evening that I was assured of the peace required to engage in such frivolous activities. And even then I had neither the energy or inclination to indulge in anything that required a concerted mental aptitude. Focusing on a screen whilst synchronising simple button controls is about as stimulating and complex as my sleep deprived mind can handle. “Dead By Daylight” provides that simple yet engaging notion that can casually assimilate a player with minimum fuss. Dead By Daylight is an asymmetrical horror game where 4 survivors have to escape elaborately themed stages by activating randomly conjured generators scattered precariously throughout the map. All while trying to evade the pervasive stalking of a perusing murderer with a penchant for hooks that sacrifice the souls of those impaled to some ethereal, malevolent being. Whether you are the hunter or the hunted you will have to adapt your strategy to accommodate the varying environments and the distinctive variations of perks utilised by the prowess of these demented monkey farts. Sometimes the difference between winning and losing can be measured in seconds or inches, zigging when you should’ve zagged. Or in some instances a crippling glitch rips success from your grasp. Next time I think I’ll just go to bed. Enjoy.

The Crazy World Of GTA: San Andreas.

Due to a lack of available resources and creative dissonance I felt a influencing compulsion to indulge in some powerful nostalgic proclivities. Now I just have to decide what? Well PS Store has a fine selection of classic PS2 titles remastered with high definition ratio to satisfy my current nostalgic mood. Ah, GTA: San Andreas; the memories, the glory, the feels. One of the most supporting advocates for adolescent indolence. Many an hour/day/week/month were exclusively dedicated to inciting racially motivated violence in suburbs where you couldn’t even trust your own adoptive family. Gorging myself on fast food, just to watch in fascination as my ever expanding stomach swelled so much that it prompted a very graphic expulsion of half digested food and stomach lining to project from my mouth. Occasionally assisting the hood with any number of vacillating errands that only I was adequately qualified to deal with, apparently! And of course engaging in amorous vehicular trysts with women who’d satisfy your carnal desires by writhing up and down on the passenger chair while you both stare blankly out of the window. So it’s no wonder I feel vindicated in popping their pixilated heads under my newly appropriated car. Yes reminiscing about such churlish endeavours is enough to provoke any man-child into purchasing a classic game, at only a fraction of its original retail price. Yet its funny the details your deceptively scrupulous mind can invariably be when you recollect something you regard with such profound affection. How it chooses to discriminate against the faults, yet preserves the good with such diligence. Because I forgot just how hilariously glitchy this game truly was. Not in a bad, this game doesn’t work kind of way, but more of a “how did this ever make it through product testing” kind. So for your viewing discomfort is a series of failures perpetrated by the developers as well as myself. Particular an incident with a rather cumbersome combine harvester which actually gathers momentum quicker when upside-down. Enjoy.