Some of My Favourite Media:
Jop's Latest Highly Rated:
JOP
Welcome to my curator page!
Like most people on this funny, little planet do, I struggle my way through life on a daily basis. Between (and if I’m very honest, also during) these struggles, I keep myself sane by dreaming. Dreaming about far off places, cultures and worlds. About wonderful and unique stories, and the possibility that, one day, my own writings will pave the way for other dreamers.
When I immerse myself in a story, I love it when I can lose myself in the thoughts and feelings of well-developed characters. Ideally, the story of these characters is supported by a clever plot and world building that is well thought out. Bonus points if the story has themes that are completely intertwined with the plot and characters. However, the balance may be slightly different, as long as most of the building blocks are in order. Bad writing is something I can never overlook. When it comes to games, I find narrative and/or atmosphere more important than game elements. Also, I like dragons.
When I’m not creating stories myself or living life, I read, game or watch movies and TV series to satisfy my eternal hunger for good stories.
Stories of hope against all odds
The found family trope
Character driven stories
Well-written emotions
Well-foreshadowed plot twists
Proper lgbtqia+ and bipoc representation
Diversity of fantasy species
Religious/spiritual themes and original invented religions as long as they are well executed
Good continuity
Giant creatures that wreak havoc such as dragons, krakens and the like
Flat or boring characters
When something truly devastating happens in a character’s life, but they never visibly mourn or even address it happening
When the stakes in a story grow beyond the point where it is relatableViolence and torture that are especially graphic
Lack of diversity
Really competitive games
Bad writing
Pet PeeveS
Storylines in which an (evil) imposter occurs and the main characters have to discover them
Senseless love triangles
When a writer has to tell how a character feels but can’t also show it
Plot twists without proper foreshadowing
Long-lasting mysteries that receive a lot of screen time but are poorly (or not at all) unravelled
Characters who are generally quite intelligent or capable but suddenly make stupid choices because it is necessary for the plot
Unsubtle info dumping
Recent Contributions
Collected: Primordia by Wormwood Studios
COLLECTION: Primordia is a beautiful and atmospheric point-and-click-game, following the story of Horatio Nullbuilt, an android living in a crashed ship in the desert wasteland, who has his life turned upside down when a hostile robot steals his ship’s power core. Horatio is determined to scavenge the post-apocalyptic wasteland for a new core, but Crispin, his self-built sidekick, suggests that perhaps it would be easier to find one in Metropol, the city of glass and light…
Review: The Owl House – Dana Terrace
The Owl House is an animation series in which teenager Luz accidentally steps through a portal to the magical world of The Boiling Isles. Here she becomes an apprentice to the witch Eda, and gradually discovers the hidden strengths within herself and others. What’s wrong with being weird?
Review: Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical – Summerfall Studios
Review of the video game Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical. College dropout Grace is accused of murdering the last muse by a pantheon of Greek gods. In order to escape a death penalty, she has to find a way to prove her innocence within a week.
Review: Flamecraft – Manny Vega
Review of the board game Flamecraft. In a peaceful, magical town, people live and work alongside little artisan dragons that are a little like their larger (and quite dangerous) cousins. Shopkeepers greatly appreciate the help of these little dragons, for their flamecraft is a delight to all customers.
As a Flamekeeper, you are blessed with the ability to communicate with the artisan dragons. Both shopkeepers and dragons look to you to help dragons find their ideal home, enabling the wonders of flamecraft to make everyone in town more happy.
Review: The Legend of Vox Machina – Amazon Prime
The Legend of Vox Machina is an animated series based on the popular tabletop role-playing game, “Critical Role.” The story follows a group of adventurers known as Vox Machina. Together, they embark on dangerous quests, battle monsters, and uncover mysteries in the fantasy world of Exandria. The series captures the thrilling and often humorous moments of the group’s epic journeys, showcasing their individual strengths, vulnerabilities, and the bonds they forge along the way.