Scrapped (?) Playthrough of Golden Sun: The Lost Age (& vote)

I played the Golden Sun games when I was a kid and feel pretty nostalgic about them. In fact, my character Valerian in Shattered Grail (the upcoming season of Gnollplaying Games) is based loosely on the vague memory of Felix's role in the games. I realized that it's been years since my playthrough of the first game, and I thought playing the game might even be research for my upcoming role, so I started a playthrough.

But after a couple sessions I just... don't feel like it? The game just isn't all that intriguing. The story doesn't have much of a hook, the mechanics are just classic JRPG repetition, and the Zelda-lite dungeon design just isn't cutting it at this point. It's not egregious, it's just kind of bland, and there's SO MUCH GAME LEFT TO GO.

I'm already kind of resenting that I started this playthrough, when I could be looking at things that genuinely tug at my curiosity, like Back to the Dawn, OFF, The Alters, The Roottrees are Dead, Void Stranger, Death Stranding 2, Lies of P: Overture, and Look Outside. Wow, that's already and overwhelming list that I don't know how to get to, but they're things that I'm actually excited to play.

So it seems like I should just dodge the bullet here and call it off. But sunk cost commands me to do something with all of this footage, so here's the Patreon videos I had prepped so far for the playthrough. You can watch them if you want, but I'm not sure I'll ever come back to this one.

Parts 1-4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSFX57Un2_w

Parts 5-8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orgEFu1zmUs

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Actually, looking at that big list I just posted, I guess I might as well do a bonus vote to help me choose between all that. Why not? Here's the games:

(from the creators of This War of Mine and Frost Punk)

Explore an emotional sci-fi game with a unique blend of survival, adventure, and base-building elements. Help Jan Dolski, the sole survivor of an ill-fated space expedition, create alternative versions of himself to escape a hostile planet and tackle personal turmoils with this unconventional crew.

Back to the Dawn is a story-rich RPG set in a high-security prison ruled by factions and buried secrets. Investigate two conspiracies from the inside, gather evidence, and outsmart a system designed to silence you. Make friends (or foes) with fellow inmates and with their help, break out of prison.

SHOULD WE HAVE CONNECTED ?

Embark on an inspiring mission of human connection beyond the UCA. Sam—with companions by his side—sets out on a new journey to save humanity from extinction. Join them as they traverse a world beset by otherworldly enemies, obstacles and a haunting question: should we have connected? Step by step, legendary game creator Hideo Kojima changes the world once again.

Lies of P: Overture is a dramatic prequel to the acclaimed soulslike action RPG, Lies of P. It transports you to the city of Krat in its final days of haunting, late-19th-century Belle Époque beauty. On the brink of the Puppet Frenzy massacre, you follow a legendary Stalker—a mysterious guide—through untold stories and chilling secrets. As Geppetto’s deadly puppet, you’ll journey through Krat and its surroundings, uncover hidden backstories, and face epic battles that shape the past and future of Lies of P.

Look Outside is a survival horror RPG set in a single apartment building. A mysterious event turns anyone who looks out the window into grotesque monsters, leaving the world in absolute chaos. Scavenge the building to seek food, supplies, and weapons while encountering strange characters.

“I’m the Batter. I’ve been entrusted with a sacred mission.” -- One of the most influential RPGs of the last 20 years is finally coming to Steam. Take control of the Batter as he seeks to purify an uncanny and hopeless world haunted by specters, guided by a cryptic, grinning cat called The Judge.

A genealogical mystery straight out of 1998. Scour the early Internet for clues, uncover hidden connections, and piece together the family tree behind the secretive Roottree Corporation.

Void Stranger is a 2D sokoban-style puzzle game where every step counts. Descend into the forgotten labyrinth teeming with fiendish foes and traps that defy reason. A swift defeat lurks at every corner for those who neither study their surroundings nor think their moves through with care. Trust you wits and slowly, surely, you will conquer the mysteries before you.

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An interest check, basically. I'm not guaranteed to play games in the exact order of the votes etc, but it's helpful to know what people might actually click on.