Clair Obscur: Session 2, well this is something

Gestrals, these guys are kind of neat.

A Second Act: Or, When a "Meh" Becomes a "Must Play"

There's something inherently flawed in the way we consume art today. We make snap judgments, give a film 15 minutes to impress us, and a video game an hour before we mentally send it to the bargain bin. And honestly, who can blame us? Our time is finite, and the sheer volume of content is staggering. After my first session with Clair Obscur, I was on the fence. I saw the promise, but the execution felt… well, lacking. I was ready to leave it as a "should play."

But something kept nagging at me, so I went back in. And man, am I glad I did. The overworld fights that initially felt challenging turned into a series of rewarding puzzles. The early linearity, which reminded me of Final Fantasy XIII's corridors, suddenly felt like a necessary design choice to keep the narrative focused. The game gives you a lot to absorb, and not having to worry about a massive open world was a blessing in disguise. It’s not about endless exploration; it’s about making every step count.

Combat Hits Its Stride (And Finally Slaps)

My first session felt like I was fumbling in the dark, but this time around, the combat truly hit its stride. It started with a bit of grinding, running back and forth to camp to heal, but that frustration was a small price to pay. The pictos system, which feels reminiscent of how you'd get abilities from weapons in Final Fantasy IX, started to click. Suddenly, the synergy between party members wasn't just a possibility; it was a necessity. Pictos give you the ability to unlock passives, like +3 ap when doing a perfect dodge.

Mastering the dodge and parry systems, understanding elemental weaknesses, and remembering to shoot those weak points—it all became second nature. The combat is incredibly engrossing and, frankly, picks up any slack the rest of the game might have. The bosses and unique enemies have been a joy to fight, and I’m finding a new appreciation for the cleverness of the design. The only glaring exception was one boss, Goblu, whose jumping attack was meant to be parried, not dodged, which felt a bit anti-thematic. But that's a minor complaint in an otherwise satisfying system. After learning that you have to parry/dodge Goblu’s attacks it almost felt like a rhythm game in the best way, where I knew a five hit attack would be coming and the timing. Sandfall Interactive somehow took the tenseness and timing you would expect from a From Software game and shoe-horned it into a turn based combat system and I’m here for it.

The Human Element & The Finite Clock

Beyond the gameplay, the characters are what ultimately grabbed me. My initial read on Gustave as a "coward" was too simple. His dynamic with Lune and Maelle is fantastic; he's a man torn between his responsibilities and his fears, a foil to Lune's stronger will. His growth is subtle and personal, his bravery isn't always overt, and his driving force is his people, but more specifically, the orphan, Maelle. This is all captured perfectly in a journal entry he writes for his apprentices, a poignant note to those who will come after him. Gustave's a man who understands that, like all of us, his time is limited. As he says, "There was a time when 30 was young," a sentiment that hits home when you're an adult with a finite amount of time, trying to figure out what matters.

This second session has done what all great games should do: it’s challenged my preconceptions and rewarded my patience. The game has its grip on me now, and I’m so happy I gave it a second chance. It’ll be a play-every-couple-of-days kind of game for now, because as I’ve said before, I’m only playing this game until it’s no longer entertaining. But for now, Clair Obscur has gone from a "should play" to a "must play," and I’m excited to see where it goes from here.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - 3 hour review

Gameplay/Combat: 7/10

The combat system is a refreshing take on traditional turn-based RPGs, incorporating a timeline view reminiscent of Final Fantasy X and requiring a bit of player timing. The system uses AP for skills, which are generated by attacking, parrying, or using special "pictos." While the system shows promise, the depth in skill selection feels limited in the early stages, and character roles feel somewhat set in stone. The combat is cool, but it has not yet fully opened up to allow for true player expression.

Story/Narrative: 6/10

It's clear that a tremendous amount of effort went into building the world and its backstory. However, the narrative delivery is a stumbling block. The game front-loads a huge amount of exposition without providing many immediate answers, which can make it hard to feel engaged outside of combat. The voice acting is a significant issue, with performances ranging from the excellent work of Charlie Cox as Gustave to other characters who sound like they belong in a soap opera or a Hallmark movie. This inconsistency is jarring and undermines the serious tone the game is trying to establish. There are moments when the dialogue is superb, but the inconsistent delivery made me wish I could turn off the audio and rely solely on subtitles.

Art/Visuals: 5/10

This is a tough category to score. The creative ideas behind the world's aesthetic—a blend of dark art deco, runic patterns, and a Belle Époque timeframe—are genuinely thoughtful. However, the execution is lacking in two key areas. First, technical issues like pop-in, blurry textures, and stuttering on a high-end PC are disappointing for a 2025 release aiming for a high level of graphical fidelity. Second, the art direction, while interesting, struggles to commit to a single vision. This results in a style that feels a bit like "kitbashing," where disparate elements are combined in a way that can feel monotonous or, worse, completely out of place. The game visually juxtaposes things that don't always mesh, creating a sense that the world was built from borrowed assets rather than a single, cohesive vision.

Audio: 7/10

The orchestral score is excellent and does a fantastic job of setting a grand, serious tone. However, it can sometimes feel a bit overdone or out of place given the context. The overall audio quality is crisp, but the delivery of the dialogue is all over the place, which ultimately brings the score down.

Summary: A game of great ideas and inconsistent execution. The engaging combat and deep lore are enough to warrant another session, but the technical and narrative stumbles are hard to ignore.

Should You Play It?

Yes, if you enjoy turn-based RPGs and mystery-heavy narratives reminiscent of shows like Lost, then absolutely. Just be prepared to lower your expectations for everything else.

The Status Quo

✍️ The Power of Words

I remember watching Jerry Maguire years ago and being captivated. Not just by the story, but by the idea of his memo – that moment where someone gets so fed up with the status quo, they put it all on paper. I don't even know what was in that memo, but I've always been fascinated by how a simple memo, or a pamphlet like Thomas Paine's Common Sense, could ignite such dramatic action in others.

It's like a powder keg event, a canon event in the lore of human progress. The thought that words alone could spur people to action was amazing to me, because that's the ultimate display – the purest execution – of logic. And that's what I want to attempt here. 👇

🤯 The Modern Dystopia Is Here

The world feels absolutely crazy right now, and I'm not talking about politics, wars, or the daily headlines. I'm talking about where we stand as human beings.

Those dystopian visions we've seen countless times in movies and novels, the ones that feel alarmingly close? They're not just close; they're already here.

In developed countries not directly engaged in conflict, many believe we've got it pretty good. But that's often because the darkest realities are kept conveniently out of sight, perhaps even on the other side of the globe. The dystopia is, in fact, already here.

Think of George Orwell's 1984, with its rigid hierarchy of proles, the Outer Party, and the Inner Party. We have a similar structure, but with a fascinating and terrifying addition: the middle class. Historically, when the wealthy pushed too far, the people brought out the guillotines. Now, the middle class serves as a vital buffer – a perpetually dangling carrot for those striving for upward mobility, and an essential consumer base keeping the elite thriving.

💔 The Hidden Costs & Modern Sweatshops

And that buffer extends further than we often realize. Sweatshops exist, providing goods for consumers at pennies on the dollar, regardless of the human or environmental cost. The corporations benefiting from those gains then use them to lobby politicians, twisting policies in their favor. The rich stand on the backs of the poor, leveraging those gains to further their own goals.

The middle class gives us something to shoot for, an aspirational dream so the daily grind doesn't feel entirely meaningless. But in reality, what are the cubicles, the on-call schedules, the 8 AM daily stand-up meetings, the strict overtime rules, that unwavering dedication to your job and being the "best"? They're all just another damn sweatshop.

The worst of it is... we don't even see the worst of it. The clothes you're wearing, the car you drive, the phone in your hand, the plastic in your water bottle – they all share one grim commonality. Somewhere in that supply chain, people are being exploited for someone else's gain. We all stand on the backs of others, whether we realize it or not.

Orwell truly hit the nail on the head with books we should have all read in middle school or high school, and yet, we still don't see it. Animal Farm said it best: "All animals are equal! But some animals are more equal than others!" That's a wild, unsettling sentiment, but it perfectly captures our reality.

🎭 Engineered Distraction

I'm not bringing these points up because I believe any meaningful change can be made about this self-imposed global caste system we've inherited and allowed ourselves to be bound to. I'm bringing them up because I want to talk about something else entirely: the very thing that distracts us from all the BS I've just described.

And those distractions? Holy crap, the divides! Republican vs. Democrat, Pro-Choice vs. Anti-Abortion, UGA vs. Alabama, racism, sexism – all this noise. The only thing these petty squabbles are truly good for is keeping us from focusing on the bigger issues.

🤔 Why We Can't Just "Go Back"

A couple of nights ago, a really intelligent young man suggested we go back to a barter system. My mind really churned on that one. We couldn't do it now, could we? How many chickens is a Kia Soul worth? How many woven rugs for an iPhone 16?

I quickly dismissed the idea because the way the world currently operates doesn't allow for bartering at its highest levels. Resources are turned into materials, which become products, then shipped to warehouses, distribution centers, and stores, only to be bought by you! Most of that is automated. How would a barter system even function in that scenario? It wouldn't. Computers don't understand the correlations between the values of chickens and cars unless explicitly programmed to.

The idea kept bothering me though, not so much the bartering itself, but the underlying realization that something truly needs to change.

🤯 The System Is Broken, But We Have Agency

I've experienced being low-income and middle class, and now I don't "need" for things in the way I used to. With fewer immediate worries, I have more time to think. As most of you know, I've had some extra time since I went on sabbatical, or whatever this is, and that time to think has been incredibly interesting.

What I've really been pondering is how do you fix where we are now, when so many institutions are broken or barely hanging on? When the rich can pretty much do whatever they want, and the poor are often destined to stay where they are if they can't break out of the patterns they know?

There is no single cure-all for this. No silver bullet that can punch the free market in the face and make it behave. Instead, we can all individually start making better choices for ourselves, and redefine what our lives can and should look like.

⏰ Reclaiming Our Time & Value

Eighty-hour work weeks? What are you working that hard for, just to pay your medical bills later? Screw the overtime that made you miss your kid's event. That 401k seems like a great investment, but it won't take care of you the way family will when you truly need them.

Instead of "requesting time off," simply alert your colleagues that you won't be there. Because, the last time I checked, we all have free will, and our time is not owned by a corporate entity or a middle manager who got a little whiff of power, like it was white-out, and decided to act like they put their big boy pants on that day.

Buck the norm. Normalize people respecting your time. Time is literally all we have – our own time, and the precious time we decide to share with others.

😤 The Harsh Reality of "Hustle Culture"

This all sounds great, right? This sounds like the panacea we need. Here's the rub, though: telling your boss to go take a flying leap off a gangplank only works if you know you have enough money to make it, say, the next six months. What if you don't? What if you're two predatory payday loans ahead of your next paycheck and the power bill is due?

Then, I guess you go get another job, or two (this was me at one point). That's how you make those ends meet while people are moving them further and further apart.

If you manage to do this long enough, and you get ahead enough to get past the setbacks, then you might make it. If you do, hell yeah. But if you don't... the deck was stacked against you to begin with, and the horrible part is you probably don't even realize that.

However, if you do make it, and you get comfortable, don't get too comfortable. And whatever you do, don't tell folks they have to "hustle" just because it's what you did. No, come to the realization that you shouldn't have had to hustle in the first place. What a broken-ass system.

🙏 A Call for Understanding & Hope

We literally just replaced fiefdoms and slavery with economics and the free market, so now money spells out your contract terms, or it puts you above others.

Anyway, I've just complained for X amount of minutes and offered no real solutions. I'm simply outlining the problem, because the first step to solving any problem is understanding there is one and stating it as plainly as possible.

Hopefully, future generations, smarter and more enabled than us, can solve this. Because, God damn it, I just want us all to be people, and live good, happy lives where we don't have to have a prole class enabling the happiness of some of us.

A New Chapter: An Interview with Derek Blackburn

This song title sums up my time management perfectly as of late.

Welcome back to Discuss Discuss, where the musings on 3D printing and urban beekeeping often serve as a Trojan horse for larger critiques of our collective human experience. While my dedication to satirizing the "hustle culture" remains unwavering, recent months have brought about a monumental shift in my personal narrative, one that demands a more direct and introspective dialogue.

I've always believed in using this platform to explore the authentic contours of life, and today, that exploration takes a more personal turn. To facilitate this, I'm engaging in a conversation with an insightful, if perhaps imaginary, interlocutor I'm calling "The Philosophical Interrogator." This isn't just about collecting hobbies anymore; it's about deliberately crafting a life, understanding the impact of significant diagnoses like bipolar on that path, and embracing passion over traditional pressures.

The Philosophical Interrogator: Derek, you've spent nearly two decades immersed in the corporate IT world. What ultimately prompted you to step away and embark on this new chapter?

Derek Blackburn: Regarding the transition and my 'why,' I've noticed I've been experiencing burnout. Even after taking a two-week vacation, the work would simply pile up, and I'd return to find myself completely swamped. The biggest 'why' in my life for leaving my previous position and stepping out of the corporate world is a profound value for my time. Time is the only thing we truly possess in life; we exchange it for money, we give it to others, and so on. I simply didn't feel I had a great handle on my own time.

The Philosophical Interrogator: Your Bipolar diagnosis is something you've mentioned as flavoring your interactions. How has this shaped your experiences within the corporate world, particularly concerning the factors you mentioned like sleep or exercise?

Derek Blackburn: My bipolar diagnosis has profoundly shaped how I perceive the corporate IT world. I've observed many who may not share the same sensitivities to factors like sleep deprivation, skipping meals, or neglecting exercise. These seemingly small sacrifices hit me particularly hard. For me, maintaining balance in life is critical for productivity. I think it's something most people don't fully consider: 'Yeah, a couple extra hours here or there isn't a big deal,' or 'Missing lunch, no big deal.' But when these become repetitive, they impose a significant strain, especially on someone managing a mental health burden.

The Philosophical Interrogator: You've touched on the impact of time and family. With your daughter heading to college and your practice of Momento Mori, how did these influence your decision to reprioritize?

Derek Blackburn: Regarding time with family and Momento Mori: my daughter is going off to college, and it truly feels like just yesterday she was my 'little dude,' following me around at four years old. Time has begun to accelerate exponentially. This ties directly into the concept of Momento Mori—the realization that we are all finite. We need to remember death, understanding that our time is limited and its end is unknown. I simply don't want to spend my precious, finite time enriching someone else's pocket.

The Philosophical Interrogator: So, as a direct result of this, you've created an LLC. Can you tell us more about the appeal of project-based automation work versus full-time employment?

Derek Blackburn: As a direct result of this shift, I've created an LLC. My focus is exclusively on project-based work—no full-time, part-time, or general contracting. I want to dive into interesting problems and apply my consultative approach to help clients achieve their goals with reasonable, low-cost, and low-complexity solutions, always accompanied by excellent documentation. That, truly, is all I want to do.

The Philosophical Interrogator: Beyond the automation work, what other passion projects—like game development, media projects, and electronics with Raspberry Pi—are you excited to pursue, and how do these connect to your overall well-being?

Derek Blackburn: Absolutely, I have several passion projects in the pipeline for the summer. This includes light Raspberry Pi automation with various hardware components. I'm also developing a couple of small games - one 2D and one 3D. Beyond that, I'm actively exploring different applications for the technologies I've mastered over the past 18+ years, particularly focusing on the intersection of human need and technological capability. For instance, I'm keen to develop a robust framework for flashcards and spaced repetition - while existing tools are available, I have ideas for building a superior system. I'm also conceptualizing tools to easily translate between various data formats, addressing common scripting needs like converting JSON values into PowerShell objects, streamlining processes for developers and IT professionals. These projects are more than just technical pursuits; they tap into a fundamental aspect of being human: our joy in learning and creating. Finding a passion that fosters growth and happiness genuinely improves mental health. It provides a crucial sense that what we are doing matters, at least to us, and if it matters to others, that's an even greater bonus.

The Philosophical Interrogator: Finally, what advice would you offer to others who might be feeling similarly constrained by corporate life or are looking to make significant life changes while managing mental health challenges?

Derek Blackburn: My advice for others: if you're experiencing burnout, bring it up. If nothing changes, then get out. But if your concerns are addressed and things improve, be appreciative—that's not always the outcome. Most corporations are heavily focused on numbers, and if the metrics aren't telling a specific story, it can be incredibly difficult to get the support needed. Even when the data does show a problem, resources might be too constrained to hire more staff or redistribute work. It's often a lose-lose situation. If you find yourself in that position, it's probably time to start looking for a new path.

Setup(): Welcome to Discuss Discuss!

Definitely not a Abraham Lincoln quote.

But in a perfect world it would be.

Hey there.

You're either a friend, a foe, or someone who accidentally stumbled upon my digital hobby hoard. I'm Derek, and I collect hobbies like some people collect stamps (except mine are way cooler). Discuss Discuss is my attempt to organize the chaos in my brain and to satirize the relentless pursuit of "productivity" and "self-improvement" that has infected our culture. From 3D printing to urban beekeeping, no niche is safe from my commentary. Expect semi-regular updates, and feel free to share your own anxieties about the state of the world (and your hobbies) in the comments.

Thanks

Derek