Homage and reference can be fun, but they're not enough to prop up a game if the writing isn't there. I take a look at a couple of recent indie RPGs, their respective approaches to storytelling, and why "Love Letters" just aren't for me. 00:00 Introduction 02:55 I. Chained Echoes 05:39 References 16:20 George's Rule 21:12 The Writing 21:29 Info Dumping 24:30 Handholding 25:33 Rumors 26:10 Character Issues 30:11 The Dialogue 30:29 The Humor 31:11 Basic Errors 32:26 What happened? 37:16 II. Sea of Stars 38:39 Music's Role 40:49 The Writing (Again) 41:24 Tone 45:34 Pacing Issues 48:10 Worldbuilding 48:33 Teaks 49:55 Fade-ins 52:20 The Characters 55:14 Valere & Zale 57:34 Seraï 58:01 Resh'an 1:00:15 B'st 1:01:00 Garl 1:05:51 Erlina & Brugaves 1:11:36 Prophecy 1:15:29 Continuity 1:16:59 What's the point? 1:18:40 III. Conclusion 1:19:58 How to Improve 1:25:06 In Closing CREDITS VIDEOS ・ "Three Decades of Akira Slide Homages" - Posted by Badspler (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9hCzjBc7Q4) ・ "Hi-Fi Rush Disc 2 (Xenogears reference)" - Posted by KeroKaminaX (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leP77CaaCoM) ・ "Toby Fox Camp Fangamer Interview (Part 2)" - Posted by Pixelated Noose (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWQoQFsiqmc) ・ Tekken 8 footage taken from official trailer ・ All other game footage captured locally ONLINE SOURCES ・ Steam Revenue Calculator (https://steam-revenue-calculator.com/) ・ Sea of Stars Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sabotagestudio/sea-of-stars) ・ Chained Echoes Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1013827562/chained-echoes-a-16bit-fantasy-rpg-with-mechs-and) ・ "Matthias Linda's seven year quest to make retro JRPG Chained Echoes" by Alan Wen (https://www.gamedeveloper.com/production/matthias-linda-s-seven-year-quest-to-make-retro-jrpg-chained-echoes) ・ "'Chained Echoes' is a Childhood Dream Come True for Solo Developer Matthias Linda" by Dale Bashir (https://sea.ign.com/indie-games/193024/news/chained-echoes-is-a-childhood-dream-come-true-for-solo-developer-matthias-linda) ・ "An Interview with ‘Chained Echoes’ Developer Matthias Linda" by Shaun Musgrave (https://toucharcade.com/2022/10/21/an-interview-with-chained-echoes-developer-matthias-linda-switcharcade-special/) ・ "Chained Echoes Interview: Creator Matthias Linda Talks JRPG Influences, Deck13 Backing, Music, & More" by Evan Norris (https://www.vgchartz.com/article/455192/chained-echoes-interview-creator-matthias-linda-talks-jrpg-influences-deck13-backing-music-amp-more/) ・ "I'm Matthias Linda, developer of Chained Echoes, an upcoming turn-based pixel art RPG filled with mechs and airships. AMA! " (https://www.reddit.com/r/JRPG/comments/uj1vut/im_matthias_linda_developer_of_chained_echoes_an/) ・ "Chained Echoes AMA-time! Developer, publisher and composer answering your questions!" (https://www.reddit.com/r/JRPG/comments/135rwid/chained_echoes_amatime_developer_publisher_and/) ・ "Retro role-playing video games are all the rage — here's why" by George Yang (https://www.npr.org/2023/11/30/1215878322/retro-jrpgs-sea-of-stars-octopath-traveler-sacrifire) PRINT ・ "Understanding Comics" pp.169-171 - Scott McCloud (https://scottmccloud.com/2-print/1-uc/index.html) SPECIAL THANKS ・ Eddie Marianukroh (https://esoundsignal.bandcamp.com/) MUSIC ・ TrackTribe (https://tracktribealbums.bandcamp.com/music) Tracks used: - Members Only - Home for the Holidays - Island Lover - Wonder Why - A Brand New House