Greg Sanders

Review: Ace Attorney Apollo Justice

The Ace Attorney series of legal adventure games has long been a favorite of mine because it offers the logic puzzles of that long-dormant genre while avoiding some of the silliness that results from a focus on inventory. As with previous games, our defense attorney hero uses items of evidence from investigations and trials to find contradictions in the testimony of witnesses. The series benefits from the move to the Nintendo DS, as was shown in the add-on mission to the first game, "Rise from the Ashes." As with that game, some of the puzzles involve checking for fingerprints or trace evidence using the touch pad. The tactile sections barely even qualify as puzzles but they're used sparingly and are just fun. While the four cases of this game aren't particularly long, they have a very handcrafted feel. Puzzle elements like a soundboard or manipulating a 3D model of the crime scene may be used only in a handful of times but they're highly appropriate when they are used.

My wife had been a bit dissatisfied with the sheer amount of plot development thrown at you in the first case. It's been more than seven years since the previous games and a fair amount has changed in unexpected ways that are not initially explained. I didn't have that problem, perhaps because I was warned or perhaps because it has been almost a year since I finished the last Phoenix Wright game. I'd even go so far as to say that Apollo Justice handles the transition from a beloved character pretty well. At this point, Phoenix is a cool and collected vet and (most of) his friends have started to work out the key issues in their lives. Apollo is starting from scratch with a new set of plotlines which gives the writers more to work with without having to undo the victories of previous games.

When it comes to the story, I still like the third Phoenix Wright game the best. However, in terms of actually thinking about criminal justice system issue I think Apollo Justice is the series standout. However, that's a discussion I think I'll save for a future post. To close out the review piece, I'll just say that once again the series finds ways to enhance the trial gameplay and if they ever decide to make more courtroom-based games I'll gladly pick them up.

Source: Borrowed from Kate. On her DS no less. Thanks Kate!

Epic[-length novel] farewell

[Update: Epics actually are a term of art, and not in the way I was using it here. Instead, most classically, think the Iliad, the Odyssey, the Aeneid. While I try to avoid jargon, I think that proper use of terms of art facilitates conversation, so I corrected the post below.]

Just in time for a Dance with Dragons, I've been reconsidering my relationship with epic[-length books]. Over the span of three months I got through the one of Steven Erickson's 1,000+ page tomes, Toll the Hounds. If you do the math, my pace wasn't that impressive which is more a consequence of the time I set aside than my speed. I enjoyed the book; one of the main villains was slowly humanized and much of the book was based in Darujistan which in the past has been one of Erickson's least depressing locales. However, I took a break or two while reading and breezed through His Majesty's Dragon and Halting State. Those breaks made clear the opportunity cost of [weight tomes]: so long as one has a reading backlog an epic must be as good as three other books and not merely enjoyable in its own right. By that standard, I'd say the first three Erickson books probably qualify, particularly The Gardens of the Moon and Memories of Ice (Deadhouse Gates is marred by a subplot that's too conventional adventure fantasy for my tastes).

Of course, books are not fungible. The stories one can tell in three quality novels tend to be different than the stories one can tell in an [grimoire-sized tale]. Bigger books can sustain more complexity and a larger cast. Neither point is necessarily a virtue in its own right. Instead, stories with grand scope or that incorporate a multitude of sometimes opposing viewpoints both can benefit from having space to develop. However, while I still disagree with some of the things Alan Jacobs says in this post I think there is a real risk that epics are becoming surprisingly limited. Certain stories, such as clashes between gods, continent sprawling wars, and tales of intrigue can all fit well within the epic[-length] genre but can crowd out everything else. This crowding out is worst when it leads to the undoing the outcomes of previous books or plotlines that feel like they're just filling space between more interesting viewpoints. There seems to be a rule that sequels to epics must also be enormous even when the best parts of the story would be better served by carrying their own 300 page novel.

Perhaps ironically, serials are another means that can support large-cast complex stories. I think by ensuring that each segment has a small self-contained story they buy time to tell longer arcs that couldn't be contained in an average novel. The Full Metal Alchemist manga is perhaps my favorite instance of this, although I've enjoyed some Dumas before and should try Dickens at some point. Of course serials, as with [giant novels], are notorious for not knowing when to end.

I suspect I will finish the last two Malazan books some day, if only because I do still on the balance enjoy them and know that they are the last two. But despite the risk of spoilers I don't think I'm going to rush to the new Song of Ice and Fire book. I actually have a bit of space on my nightstand for once and I intend to exploit that opportunity.

Review: Great Sage Restaurant in Clarksville Maryland

Eating twice at the Great Sage restaurant hasn't resulted in any vegan super powers, but it has gotten us two tasty meals. I'm not a vegan and despite a mix of voluntary and digestive tract-driven food restrictions I'd have a hard time seeing myself become one. However, the meals we've had there, particularly the  adult mac & 'cheese' and the zen udon bowl both showcased that gourmet cuisine is quite possible even with restricted ingredients. Unsurprisingly, the dishes can get at the appeal of the non-vegan version of a meal but they seem to prioritize flavor over simulation.

Both the udon, with its homemade pasta, and the macaroni, with its spice and mix of vegetables, were specifically recommended by our servers. So if you aren't really familiar with the details of vegan cooking, it can be quite rewarding to ask. They take pride in their food but were neither preachy nor condescending to non-vegans which helps explain why there seems to consistently be a wait to get a table at peak hours. On the whole I'd say the atmosphere has a pointedly natural vibe combined with elegance via well chosen wall pieces (how well chosen? I'd love to grab them for my house if I thought I could afford them).

Finally, the desserts we tried were quite refreshing and may be a boon for the lactose-averse who still get cravings. The coconut milk-based mint oreo shake was fantastic and I'm really not sure how they pulled it off. It's probably too much to hope that it was any more healthful than a non-vegan shake, but it was good enough that I didn't care either way.

Source: Kate saw their write-up in the Baltimore Sun and/or HowChow.

Happy Independence Day

I've seen a few comics commenting on the oddity of the date, putting it at the start of the war and noting that it was still a premise and not a realized concept as of July 4th, 1776. I think the former is wrong, as the war had already started by the time of the declaration. The latter misses the point for humorous effect. The success of the Revolutionary war was critical for the U.S., of course. However, it was the principles of the Declaration of Independence, a document that was addressed to a global audience and that has proven a template for subsequent revolutions, that was truly important. While not flawless, I would even say that it would be the founding document most worth of celebration in its original form.

Now, for a song selection inspired by the Capital 4th fireworks tonight. Sadly the Takoma Park ones I'd meant to attend were scuttled by light rain.

Finally, happy second anniversary, Kate.