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April 2025

I'm actually getting better and starting to enjoy objective based games. I initially was only interested in open world sandbox style games but I’m finding my way into more structure.

I’m in love with the aesthetics of the old Nintendo games so I often open up those games and try them out just to get a look and enjoy the atmosphere.

I usually get quickly frustrated by their linearity and my lack of ability to progress. I have to play the same run over and over because I die so easily.

But I found a game I was really enjoying the graphics and soundtrack for, so I kept coming back to it and playing it again and again until I unintentionally started to get the hang of it.

The game is Joe & Mac: Lost in the Tropics

I also looked up some information on how to get past some obstacles I was stuck on that had been making the game unnecessarily hard and frustrating for me.

There appeared to be no way to save the game, so anytime I’d pass a level it would be lost once I died in the next level. Making it so I’d have to start from the beginning of the whole game every time. It was driving me crazy.

Finally it occurred to me to ask my right hand robot man, and I was informed how to create suspend points.

Now I’m making suspend points and feeling really cool and smart lol. Plus enjoying myself more cuz I can start from my suspend points when I die instead of playing from the beginning everytime.

You also get a password at certain points in the game that act as suspend points. Very cumbersome though.

I don’t understand why it’s not more like Mario where once you pass a level it stays saved?

I also softened into a new way of playing the objective games. At first I’d get really ramped up, thinking I need to race through the runs to get to the end. Then it occurred to me I don’t need to play them fast, just because they are “fast paced” games.

I can play the fast paced games slowly and more mindfully.

So I intentionally slowed down, even battling the creatures slowly and calmly, with less strikes. Walking instead of running. Taking my time. And minding more attention to all the details, not just racing past everything like a frenzied maniac randomly smashing buttons.

I try to scoop up all the coins and eat all the treats and stop to smell the roses. Much like my goals and intentions for my life in the physical world as well.

(though sometimes I do just wanna race around.
this slow gaming is more for relaxation )

I tried a session playing the normally upbeat game to slow ambient music, and that was a really nice contrast in experience.

Though I love the original soundtrack for Joe & Mac, it is very upbeat and repetitive and when I’m needing to take things slow and commit to overcoming obstacles and potentially playing the same run several times, having a more relaxing formless ambient soundtrack feels better to me.

I actually get into a real nice meditative state. Even tho I’m doing something that was initially annoying as hell: playing the same run over and over until I beat it.

The objective and repetition starts to melt away and I just get lost in the moment.

So I am going to try a streaming session in that style. Joe and Mac: Lost in the Tropics but with ambient music.

Also, I felt really satisfied when I finally beat the level I was stuck on and made it to a new plateaux, which opened up 4 new fun playing areas.

I had been feeling defeated and wanting to give up on the game all together, but it made me want to keep going, and reminded me that determination through challenges and frustration is worth while. Again, much like life in the physical world.

Overcoming difficulty often levels you up and grants you access to whole new worlds and perks. Games are great teaching tools for life.

like getting a surprise kiss after you slay the dino ;)

(there are some pretty sexist components to this game tho - the girls are just props.)

Anyway, now to my surprise I’m getting into objective based games. I really thought they weren’t my thing at all but I just needed to approach it in my own way, and make it more enjoyable by coating it in more of a feminine energy.

~C⭐