#aladdin's creek: odyssey

[trulycertain]

I love how even with the most streamlined “pretty” armours, like the Amazon armour (which... a strapless bustier is not a practical chestplate piece! But I still kinda love the Wonder Woman cosplay!) or the Hunter armour (which, to be fair, is equally revealing on Alexios, and in both cases is about looking like a wild warrior; the warpaint’s beautiful but in an intimidating way), none of it’s cut to emphasise her cleavage or to minimise her shoulders, or has shorter skirting than the blokes, or anything else. And she doesn’t magically sprout makeup along with the warpaint. The only one that’s really revealing is the Brawler’s Armour, which again, is about the same on Alexios. And mostly shows off how ridiculously built either sibling is.

Honestly? I’m really happy and impressed. The vast majority of armours are practical and heavy, with no boobplate, they’re just heavily ornamented in ways that male fighters of status would’ve had too. When they’re exaggerated (or only vaguely historical), which is often, it’s for coolness, not for sexiness. One of my late-game favourite top pieces was the Mark of Arkadia, which looks like this and is basically splintmail:

You’ll find vanity pieces like the Agamemnon armour set, Deimos’ armour or Pericles’ set, that are pretty much exactly the same on Kass or Alexios, and also heavily decorated and gilded. The War Hero sets are both gilded and highly decorated but also practical and heavy to the point of being thoroughly unpretty but nicely intimidating. All that said, I often tended to most enjoy the simple hoplite and mercenary armour.

Whatever you wear - including in the challenge where Kass has to compete in the Olympics in her underwear, because so does everyone else, and chucking in a load of historically accurate nudity would probably have been a problem - you’re just matter-of-factly allowed to play a ripped, scarred warrior who happens to be a woman. Pretty much everyone prioritises the “badass warrior” part of that. And when you’re flirting in-game, you’ll get as many compliments on your strong arms as you will on your lovely hair, regardless of gender. (I get it. Alexios has such lovely hair beads.) So her strength and presence are never minimised, occasionally complimented, and only really sexualised if that’s something you sign up for. Awesome. 

(Also, they’re right. Kass is gorgeous. Partly because she’s ripped as hell and has a load of defensive scars from war stuff and shieldwork. And partly, you know... funny knackered strong-willed hard-scrabble mercenary. With lovely eyes. What a power fantasy. <3)

#assassin's creed odyssey #aladdin's creek: odyssey #tru plays odyssey #Assassin's Creed

[pepperoni-puffin]

10 Random Questions/Tag 10 Simmers

I was tagged by @x-pipco-x to answer these questions, alright here we go!

1. If you could travel one place in the world where would you travel?

The British Isles (can I make that one place? Lol) I really want to see the different countries there. I have a lot of Irish and English heritage and it would be really cool to visit and learn more about my roots. Not only that, I am huge fan of a lot of British shows (Doctor Who, Sherlock, Broadchurch, IT Crowd, Extras). I want to go visit the part of the world where these shows spawned! Lastly, I gotta admit I want go be a stereotypical tourist and see the big attractions. Get me a ride on the London Eye!

2. What do you do in your free time away from sims? 

I’m a super artsy craftsy person (I am so excited for the community stuff pack! It is exactly my type of thing!). I knit, cross stitch, sew, and especially draw. I used to do a lot of illustration, both in pencil and digitally on my iPad. Once I got into making cc though that kind of soaked up a lot of my creative energy. I’m sure I’ll do more of the other stuff at some point though. The creative passion stays but my medium of focus tends to go through trends.

3. What other games do you play besides the sims?

Animal Crossing New Horizons is currently my life, lol. I also enjoy Stardew Valley. Some games that I’ve played through: Pikmin 3, Mario Odyssey, Super Smash Bros (World of Light), Broken Age, Tangled Tower, World of Goo, and Untitled Goose Game.

4. How tall are you?

5’ 6” or 5’ 7” I can’t remember. 

5. One random interest of yours?

I went through a lego phase in college and bought a bunch. It was just therapeutic to build little things. I mostly made little houses and furniture. I’ve still got all the legos in case the mood strikes me.

6. Current favourite bands or artists?

My all time favorite bands/artists though are Nate Ruess/fun. and Panic! At the Disco (mostly their first 3 albums). 

7. Something your looking forward to:

Civilization.. friends.. and the Zoo. 

8. Current favourite films?

I enjoy movies but It’s hard for me to think of my top ones at the moment. I actually watch a lot more TV shows so I’m going to be rebellious and answer with those. I binge watch shows while I create stuff so I’ve worked my way through a lot, lol. To name a few: Bojack Horseman, Twin Peaks, Westworld, Bobs Burgers, Better Call Saul, Parks & Recreation, The Office, Golden Girls, Schitt’s Creek, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Aggretsuko. What I'm watching through lately: Will & Grace, What We Do in the Shadows, and Barry. 

9. Who is a historical icon who has left an impact on your life?

Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein. She was about 18 when she wrote it, and her story has remained immensely influential in media and pop culture to this day. Some say she basically invented the sci-fi genre! To be a young female writer that long ago and have that kind of impact.. just.. wow. I still find her story to be incredibly inspiring.

10. Favourite series (book or movie series)?

I watch more movies so let’s go with that: I would say either Harry Potter or the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I own all the Harry Potter Movies and am trying to collect copies of the entire MCU. I’ve seen every movie to date and am only missing a few in my collection, mostly the most recent ones.

I tag @wild-pixel @qicc @aladdin-the-simmer @lotusplum @bluemoonmojave @kiwisim4 @okruee @aharris00britney @sweettacoplumbob and @diet-coke-sims to answer! 🙂 

#nonsims #non sims #get to know me #q & a #asks

[trulycertain]

Tru plays Odyssey: a summary so far

#tru plays odyssey #assassin's creed odyssey #aladdin's creek: odyssey #Assassin's Creed #the trueue

[trulycertain]

BRASIDAS.

I was not prepared. I really hope I get to see him again after the Monger’s storyline. I just... “Nikalaos. Good general, stubborn Spartan *snort*” and the bit about how you can always find your way home... He’s fantastic. And frighteningly chill, for a Spartan.

(I just love all the historical figures in this and the way they’ve translated them. Sokrates is kind of a windbag, which, I mean... yes. Sophokles is pissed-off, drunk and having a spat with his friend-with-benefits/on-off boyfriend and overdramatic as hell, and also known for his comedies. Aristophenes is constantly picking fights and a newcomer to the scene.  Hippokrates is exactly as serious and focused as you’d expect. Alkibiades is... Alikibiades. Herodotos!!! Perikles being a sad serious strategist but also a total game-player! And that’s far from all of them, even! I mean... they’ve clearly done a bit of reading and I like it immensely!)

Someone: “Why can’t I smooch Brasidas?” Me: “Probably because actual historical dude who existed. But... I mean... this version of him is... same.”

Goddamn you, hot fictional chill Spartan.

#tru plays odyssey #aladdin's creek: odyssey #assassin's creed odyssey #Assassin's Creed

[trulycertain]

I’m taking the Odyssey DLCs as non-canon, or just sort of... ignoring their existence. *sigh* The rest of the game is awesome, even if I am glaring at Ubisoft so much.

#tru plays odyssey #aladdin's creek: odyssey #assassin's creed odyssey #Assassin's Creed

[trulycertain]

@aphreal42, @withthebreezesblown, @cherieofthedragons

YESSSSSSSSS.

I’d reached level 30+, but apparently the secret is to do the main story quest rather than keep dithering about sidequesting. (Oh dear. Now I feel rather terrible for all those hunters I slaughtered trying to get “the badass warpaint” armour.”)

...All right, so I have a Hero Type and I like war paint. Stop laughing at me.

#tru plays odyssey #aladdin's creek: odyssey #assassin's creed odyssey #Assassin's Creed

[trulycertain]

Overly long titles

Mum, knackeredly: How’s your game going? Af - Alfafa - Assa - Aladdin’s Creek: Odyssey? Um...

*tries three more times, increasingly colourfully, to get it right*

Mum, in quiet despair: I mean, I should know this, I bought it

Me, Unable to watch her suffer any longer: Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey?

Mum: ...That. Yes.

Me: I think the first one was still my favourite, though.

#tru plays odyssey #aladdin's creek: odyssey #assassin's creed odyssey #tru talks #tru's mum

[trulycertain]

I still have so, so far to go. What are noses. What are necks. ...This is going to be one of those interminable WIPs, isn’t it. (Scars incoming, but proper detail work is for after anatomy.)

#tru draws #or at least bitches about it #wips #aladdin's creek: odyssey

[trulycertain]

I’m pretty sure I can’t romance Xenia.

...I’m also pretty sure this pains me greatly.

#tru plays odyssey #aladdin's creek: odyssey #assassin's creed odyssey #Assassin's Creed #she's so tall #and strong #and forthright #and scars #and hating slavers #and #... #*squeak* #help

[trulycertain]

@fanfoolishness: “Who wore it better” 2k19.

(Sorry, Gal. You know my answer.)

#tru draws #aladdin's creek: odyssey #tru plays odyssey

[trulycertain]

Spoilers for Odyssey. Seriously, huge ones. The entire ending.

Finished Odyssey last night. I might be the one person who actually kinda likes the artefact ending. I found it... oddly touching. I don't know. Maybe it's that I kind of want to give Kassandra a hug most of the time. Maybe it’s that it kind of fits with the myth theme and the what-makes-a-god-and-what-is-the-price themes.

Speaking of artefacts: I’m still fascinated by the implications of the monster fights. I didn’t realise until Medusa what the sad, shrivelled corpses in place of monster bodies meant. Or rather, I suspected, but took a while to get confirmation.

There’s some beautiful horror there, and it’s never explored. People who were often trying to do the right thing or get by... they picked up the thing they didn’t understand and were turned into monsters. By the power of its history or their own belief, because they parsed the Esu stuff as myth and contextualised it that way. Either the Esu’s... souls? passed on to them, or more likely, the Esu turned them into these things to guard the artefacts, as part of the whole “humans are expendable” deal. These monsters were normal people once. That’s just... tragic. (Aptly. *waves at sophocles*) 

I mean, I’m totally unfussed about the tacked-on sci-fi subplot and the modern stuff, or all the attempts at pseudoprofundity, but... that’s really, genuinely a beautiful avenue to explore. And it gets brushed aside in favour of “more cool Esu stuff!”

Well, not quite. I love how corrupting Esu artefacts and “divine knowledge” can be. I think that’s why I liked the ending. No-one in Greek mythology ever ascends Mount Olympus without cost. Divinity is a burden. 

And I love that it turned Pythagoras into (even more of) a bastard (seriously, can Kassandra not have one good dad), but that the purity of Kass’s heart (despite the whole murderous-merc-assassin thing) and her strength of character meant that she was still herself. She was so stubbornly normal and human that she got to keep her soul. She asks for these crazy-powerful mind-control artefacts to be destroyed because it’s the right thing to do. (That felt fitting coming on the heels of the Cultist mission, where I refused to let her be swayed by Aspasia, because the things the Cult had done were bloody awful and who were they to control the future? How could they guarantee anything?)

I mean, that’s mixing many mythological traditions. (Greek myths never especially value purity of heart or purpose in the same way. Well, maybe purpose. But in terms of chivalry and morality and all, you want Arthurian stuff.) But the feel was right, especially the ending’s cyclical nature.

So yeah. I found it pretty satisfying. And I imagine I’ll replay at some point, because I was already thinking, “Jeez, I’m going to miss you,” even as I was playing.

Second AC I’ve ever finished. Favourite one so far. 

#tru plays odyssey #aladdin's creek: odyssey #assassin's creed odyssey #Assassin's Creed

[trulycertain]

...I really liked Odyssey, OK?

#tru plays odyssey #aladdin's creek: odyssey #assassin's creed odyssey #Assassin's Creed

[trulycertain]

#i really like photo mode #tru plays odyssey #aladdin's creek: odyssey #assassin's creed odyssey #Assassin's Creed #kassandra #screencaps

[trulycertain]

G O D D A M M I T.

I knew it was coming - I knew it - but that still sucked. And to compound things, due to some suboptimal choices I made, I’m pretty sure said character died after basically a friend breakup with m - I mean Kassandra.

GAH.

#assassin's creed odyssey #tru plays odyssey #aladdin's creek: odyssey #assassin's creed odyssey spoilers #Assassin's Creed

[trulycertain]

I’m pretty sure when they said “The Wolf of Sparta,” they meant Nikolaos, not my big friend here.

#tru plays odyssey #aladdin's creek: odyssey #assassin's creed odyssey #kassandra #ikaros #and a very big lad #Assassin's Creed #screencaps

[trulycertain]

Pictured: paradise.

#assassin's creed odyssey #tru plays odyssey #aladdin's creek: odyssey