Item-ology: Glint of the North Stars
One of the things I've been loving about playing through the fantastic souls-like Another Crab's Treasure is the way that a different aesthetic approach prompts me to think critically about what I'm playing from different angles. So many action role playing games of this type share the same dark trappings of ruined gothic kingdoms; it's mentally refreshing to see similar mechanics draped in colorful, cartoony art direction. A refreshed mind wields fresh eyes, and I was struck by the fact that I hadn't really thought about how many treasure chests, item containers, and different models of loot in game worlds have quietly been replaced with a simple particle effect; shining beacons of light that efficiently say "there's something here!" The earliest item glint examples I can recall were in 16-bit Na rrative Pa rty RPG s of the 90s, where they usually served as a way to hint at the presence of missable/optional rewards or Easter eggs. In a sea ...