Pharaoh-Ink

Only temporary for fun, but I'm opening art and writing requests specifically to Darkwing Duck only. So if there's any characters from that you want me to draw, feel free to suggest! I might not get to all of them, but I'll try.

Hi all! Happy 2018! Can't believe it, another year has gone by. Still chugging along in Super Mario Odyssey, and my opinion of it since my last review hasn't changed. I really like it, it's filled my old, dead heart with a joy I haven't felt since the good ol' Nintendo 64 days. Not to say I haven't enjoyed games since then, it's just something I can't quite put my finger on, but all of you know what I'm talking about, I imagine.

I'm going to start posting art more actively on here now that work has slowed down. I mean, I say that, but I actually have to get back into a swing. One piece of work every month is pretty bad. I feel like I post more frequently on tumblr, but that's not actually true as of late either. I just need to make it a point to doodle more and just post it. This year's going to be the year I throw caution to the wind and just post content I like, regardless of opinions or if anyone actually looks at it. It's just for lil' old me. I'm going to give love to my own little creations. My original and fan characters deserve to have some fun too.

I'm getting better at trying to post my ideas, it's a little nerve-wracking, but I finally started a series I've been sitting on for a while! It's set in the Darkwing Duck universe, which, I don't know how active it is on here, I know the fandom had a resurgence back in 2011-ish with the comics. But it's an idea I've had for a fan character of mine, and I really wanted to write it out. I planned three stories for the main series, and maybe a one-shot or two if I feel up to it. Each story's going to be comprised of five chapters, and I was a good noodle and made notes to make sure I didn't go off track for once. If you'd like to check out the story, it's up on Ao3 and fanfiction, whichever you'd prefer to read it at.

Linkolas: archiveofourown.org/works/1335…
www.fanfiction.net/s/12797641/…

And here's some art for it too:
 

I'm so prepared this time, woo-hoo! Anyway, I worked really hard on this character and plan to work really hard on the series, so if you guys could read and tell me what you think, that would be awesome. I know people are shy about leaving reviews and prefer to lurk, but I like hearing from you, I like knowing what thoughts pass through your noggins.

Thanks for reading my rambles as per usual, gang! Hope to hear from you guys.

Well, after years of steady, comfortable games that rarely deviated from the tried and true formula, I was convinced that maybe the Super Mario series had unfortunately fell into a rut. Not that ruts are necessarily bad things, but they can lead to complacency, and while most Mario games offer a familiarity and comfort, complacency has a tendency to make things feel stale or cutout. Which is exactly what the Paper and RPG series started to feel like.

It's been a decade since the glorious Super Mario Galaxy, which took us to the skies and dared to show us galaxies and dimensions the likes of which we'd never seen before. But even now, nothing seems to compare to Super Mario Odyssey, which somehow feels like a homage, a tribute, and a culmination of everything the series has ever achieved or aimed to be, all while still managing to throw in a few twists and turns. Does it sound like I'm gushing yet? I know the internet doesn't need yet another review that rides the coattails of praise, but it's well deserved in my humble opinion.

To start, my initial impressions are of course, the breathtaking visuals. I was amazed. The scenery is just so beautiful to look at, and the level layouts remind me that when Nintendo gets it right, they really do get it right. Nearly every frame felt like a screenshot, which is probably why they let you capture a photo with a simple push of a button. They know you're going to stop and gawk! I was truly impressed with their decisions in designs for not only the worlds, but the denizens of said worlds as well. Dressed like a samurai and looking over Bowser's pagoda inspired castle felt so epic and different. Facing off against a realistic dragon within the ruins of a lost and desolate kingdom. Looking up at the vast emptiness of space while on the moon. It all felt like something so much bigger and grander.

The plot is nothing spectacularly unique, it's the usual Bowser shenanigans of taking what he wants, whenever he wants, and doing whatever he wants with it. His grand scheme is to marry Princess Peach, using famous stolen trinkets and baubles from each place he visits to make his sham of a wedding as legit and horrifically pomp as possible. Oh, and what location would be the ultimate place for anyone's wedding? Why, the moon, naturally. I'll give him points for the extra lengths he's going, it's times like these he comes across as a competent rival. 

Along with the princess, you'll have to save your new companion's sister from Bowser's clutches as well, as she serves as the tiara to Peach's wedding outfit.

Your new companion? A hat named Cappy, part of a strange, sentient hat species that has the ability to possess the wearer. This puts Mario into a whole slew of different situations that calls for him to possess the very minions he had once stomped, trampled, or punched out, in favor of using their abilities in helping him with various puzzles or quests.

You make your way through the game collecting objects referred to as Power Moons, which give power to the Odyssey, your method of transportation. They also power New Donk City, a semi-realistic New York-esque city, and one of my favorite locations!

Along with the ability to take over peoples' minds, different hats and outfits can be bought to allow you to into different events. Not to mention, the outfit changes to match your environment is just an added boost of fun, as Mario can be as casual, silly, or serious looking as you want him to be!

One of my favorite aspects about this game is just how wide and open it truly is. You can take off running into any direction and you never are made to feel as though you're doing something wrong, or going the wrong way, or going somewhere you can't go to yet. The game never tells you what to do or where to go, you are free to explore as thoroughly as you'd like or speedrun through. You're never made to feel like you're on a set path though, and when you do adventure and explore, your efforts for looking in the oddest of places are usually rewarded.

There's also just a great and deep love and appreciation for the Super Mario history spread throughout this game, it's revered and adored; when you go through dimensional shifts into an 8-bit part of the wall, or when Pauline asks you to participate in New Donk's festival which is nothing but a love letter to Mario's humble beginning and her own origin, and especially when you finally make it to the Mushroom Kingdom, which filled this old heart with nothing but pure joy once you see the big nod to nostalgia.

The ending of the main storyline is enough to get your heart pumping fast, but the exploration made available to you afterwards will continue to fill you with energy and excitement as you tumble into new realms, riddles, and side quests. Whether cartoonish and zany, or serious and surreal, every world offered here to explore gives new perspective.

The few bad things I can think of are hardly dampers to the game at all, but just to prove I'm not entirely biased, I'll list them here. The camera is not always the greatest, it's able to be controlled, but also pans back at a very dramatic distance in very bizarre moments. And we have to bring up Broodals...because we do. I don't know what fan-consensus is on these guys, but I'm torn between being okay with them, but also just wondering why it's not the koopalings. I get they've received massive exposure in the past few games, but the designs are just so reminiscent of them, it's a wonder why they're not just....them. I'm pretty sure some of the voices are the same too. I can't say I'm a huge fan of them, they were kind of annoying and easy mini-fights, and just seemed to be bad distractions more than credible threats. The other boss fights in the game though were better than fine, they were creative and enjoyable, and I actually wished there were more of them.

All in all, this game continues to fill me with immense appreciation, creativity, and adoration for Nintendo, and it makes me remember just why it is I continue to buy the games. If you're looking for a reminder too, this would be an excellent hat to add to your collection.

Hello all! For the upcoming Black Friday, save on any art commissions you place with me between now and Sunday the 26th! Slots will be limited, as I need to ensure I have enough time to dedicate to each piece. A perfect time to get couple commissions for Christmas!

Chibi- $5 per character

SLOTS AVAILABLE:

1. Ningyoutachi
2. SepsAngel
3.





Half Body- $8 per character

SLOTS AVAILABLE

1.
2.






Full body- $12 per character

SLOTS AVAILABLE

1.
2.


Characters with simplistic background- $20

SLOTS AVAILABLE

1. DordtChild 










Please let me know via note or comment what your specifications are. All payments are processed through payment via Paypal ONLY. Invoices are written by myself and sent, so you must have a valid email associated with your Paypal account. Art is sent to the commissioner to approve of with a watermark first before any payment is asked. SFW art inquiries only please, and remember that I reserve the right to decline a commission I don't feel comfortable with for any reason, so please respect this, and always be clear about what you're looking for. Thank you as always!