In the vast panorama of independent games, it sometimes happens that we come across titles that, with a single image or a short trailer, manage to arouse immediate attraction. It’s what I define as “interest at first sight”: that love at first sight that arises from a detail, from an element that captures attention and sparks curiosity. In a period dominated by great releases like Metaphor: ReFantazio, Silent Hill 2 Remake e Dragon Ball Sparking Zero!it’s easy to get lost in the multitude of upcoming titles, and many smaller games risk going unnoticed.
Yet, among these it stands out Last Time I Saw Youa promising project developed by an independent Japanese team from Osaka, Maboroshi Artworks. Although they are still unknown to the general public, this team has chosen to engage in an adventure that addresses profound and far from obvious themes, promising to leave a mark on anyone who decides to enter their world.
Last Time I Saw You, a typhoon of reality and imagination
We are in the 80s, in rural Japan, specifically in a small fictitious village where life flows peacefully, as in a postcard from a bygone era. The kids enjoy their weekends chatting and playing baseball, the merchants bustle in their shops, and the housewives chat with each other, in a community where everyone knows each other. However, there is a subtle tension in the air: a typhoon threatens to hit the village, disturbing that apparent calm.
In this scenario of Last Time I Saw You we follow the story of Ayumi, a teenager who lives a normal life, but is tormented by recurring and mysterious dreams. In his dreams he finds himself in a dreamlike and surreal world, where an enigmatic girl appears to him repeatedly. Intrigued and scared, Ayumi begins to investigate the meanings of these dreams and the identity of that girl who seems to be looking for him.
Everything changes the day the typhoon actually hits. While the village suffers damage from the storm, strange shadows appear among the ruins, and Ayumi, in an attempt to escape, is saved by the girl of her dreams. From that moment, the border between reality and imagination dissolves, and Last Time I Saw You turns into a story of magical realismwhere everyday life is intertwined with mystery and the supernatural.
Ayumi’s adventure takes a turn into the unknown, weaving together elements of mysticism and Japanese folklore which give a sense of charm and mystery, especially in the eyes of a Western audience. The fusion between simple village life and profound supernatural tradition Japanese is handled well, creating a vibrant and mysterious world. And the quest to uncover a curse that has befallen the village.
The story of Last Time I Saw You captures right from the start, keeping the player’s curiosity high thanks to a solid narrative structure, despite some weaker moments towards the end. The dialogues are well written and the characters are credible, with the possibility of deepening their stories through optional interactions, which enrich the experience. Only in rare cases are there small dissonances in the dialogues compared to the temporal setting, but nothing that ruins the overall involvement.
The themes addressed, such as the transition to adulthood, first loves, friendships, family and the nostalgia for a past that seems to fade, are treated with delicacy and authenticity, making the adventure of Ayumi not only compelling, but also a journey where reality and imagination mix, creating a beautiful journey, through nostalgia for the past through myths and tradition.
A simple adventure
On the gaming side, Last Time I Saw You it looks like a 2D scrolling adventurein which the various levels, although they follow a rather linear structure, offer a certain freedom of movement and exploration. It is possible to return to areas already visited, enriching the experience with a more engaging gameplay dynamic. The main focus of the game, as already mentioned, it is the narrative, with particular emphasis on the interactions with the characters we will meet along our journey. The side-quests, although simple and mainly consisting of collecting items or delivering items, help make the overall experience richer and more satisfying. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Players can purchase items from merchants, useful both for progressing in missions and for unlocking particular elements of the game. Currency is earned by defeating shadows, collecting treasure, or completing side quests. Furthermore, There are collectibles scattered around the maps, which can be found during exploration or purchased from merchants. The gameplay of Last Time I Saw You it is based on fundamental mechanics, such as jumping and a side dodge that allows you to access otherwise unreachable areas.
The protagonist can also attack with a baseball bat, dealing simple but effective blows against the few enemies that appear. Furthermore, we would like to point out the presence of a diary Ayumiwhich not only collects the objectives of the missions, but also acts as a compendium of objects, characters and notes from the protagonist, updating day by day.
The environmental puzzles, while repetitive, are fairly simple and don’t offer a significant challenge. The gameplay, while enjoyable, is not particularly elaborate and this translates into some limitations. One of the main defects concerns the balance between the narrative componentwell developed, and the playful one, which has some shortcomings. Some areas require excessive backtracking, and the overall difficulty of the game is quite low. While it is possible to run out of lives, this never poses a real threat, as the checkpoints are placed within a short distance of each other.
It is clear that Last Time I Saw You does not aim for a complex and detailed gameplay structure, but rather a more accessible experiencefocused on artistic and narrative aspects. If this may represent a limit for those looking for a more demanding or playful challenge, on the other hand the game still manages to offer a pleasant and light experience, which can be played with simplicity and charm. The game can be completed in about ten hours.
A beautiful postcard with a nostalgic flavour
One of the aspects that stands out most Last Time I Saw You it is the artistic sector, which manages to capture attention with an eye-catching aesthetic, perfectly integrated with the story that the game wants to tell. The title evokes the feeling of a postcard from the pastconveying a strong sense of nostalgia.
From the leaves falling from the trees to the backgrounds that carefully represent the small village, every visual element contributes to creating aengaging atmosphere. Even the hand-drawn characters are a pleasure to observe during the game, as are the natural environments, which although not particularly innovative, still manage to maintain their charm. Traditional elements, such as shrines and figures from Japanese folklore, have been carefully revisitedwith a character design that respects the cultural roots without giving up a touch of originality.
Everything is handcrafted by talented artists, both the backgrounds and the character movements, making each scene rich in detail. The various scenarios, accompanied by a soundtrack that fits perfectly with the atmosphere, complete the artistic and narrative experience. The music of Last Time I Saw You, varied and often nostalgicmanages to blend all the elements together, creating a cohesive and pleasant audiovisual system.
From a technical point of view, Last Time I Saw You It presents itself cleanly and without any significant problems. During our testing we only encountered a couple of minor bugs, nothing that affected the gaming experience. It should be noted that the title is not available in Italian, but the English version is clear and accessible, even for those who do not have a perfect command of the language.
In one way or the other, almost every Nigerian has heard of the mythical match between India Vs. Nigeria that ended with 99 goals to 1 with India being victorious.
Before the advent of the internet, this story successfully thrived among Nigerians, but with the emergence of the internet and easy access to social media, the truth behind the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match was revealed.
Though there are different accounts of the match, but they all have the following in common:
That the match ended with India scoring 99 goals and Nigeria scoring just one goal.
That Indians later agreed that if Nigeria could score one goal, they would concede defeat.
That Samuel Okwaraji scored the winning goal and lost his life in the process because the ball turned into stone as he was about to kick it.
That FIFA banned India from soccer because they used juju (black magic) in that match.
Why did people believe the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match story?
Even with the absence of the internet back then, this kind of claims should be immediately recognized as lies, the kind of lies they call “big fat lies”. But most people like to acknowledge this story as true with the fact that no one has ever seen India play in an International Football Match. Since no one actually saw India participate in most international soccer games, this gave a little credence to the story.
Another reason this lie thrived for long was that credible information was not easily accessible in Nigeria unlike now that even a 4-year-old child can debunk false claims within minutes with the help of Google. This Nigeria Vs India match story would have been fabricated by one community elder to children during an evening gathering; that’s our take at OldNaija.
What Actually Happened!
On the 12th of August 1989, Nigeria lost one of her best footballers, Sam Okwaraji who died during a football match. We wrote about how he died on the pitch and you can read it here. Sam Okwaraji was the player rumoured to have lost his life in that game when in truth he died during a FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Angola in the 77th minute. He collapsed and died of cognitive heart failure. May his soul rest in peace. AMEN!
Samuel Okwaraji (circled)
So, that is the only truthful thing about the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match story, the fact that a Nigerian player died during a football match. That is what these lies was fabricated around. The match was not against India, Nigeria did not lose the match and as you must have guessed, and there were no lions or ball turning into a stone.
India was never banned by FIFA. It was India that withdrew from the tournament themselves. Here is how it happened.
Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) made it clear to India that they would not be allowed to play in the 1950 FIFA World Cup without footwear.
Then something happened. You see, when determining the make-up of the 1950 World Cup, FIFA determined that obviously the two defending finalists, Brazil and Italy, would be guaranteed slots. That left fourteen slots that needed to be filled.
FIFA decided that seven of those slots would come from Europe, six would come from the Americas and one would come from Asia.
The problem was that of the four Asian teams that were invited to the World Cup, three of them (the Philippines, Indonesia and Burma) withdrew from the tournament before the qualification round.
Therefore, India earned an automatic slot within the World Cup. It would be India’s first time appearing in the World Cup but India, too, withdrew from the tournament because FIFA would not allow them to compete barefoot.
The Hidden Financial Struggles of Footballers: Divorce’s Costly Toll
The glamorous image of professional footballers, with their luxurious lifestyles and multimillion-dollar contracts, often obscures a harsh reality: the financial devastation many endure through divorce. Behind the fame and fortune, several high-profile players have seen their wealth significantly depleted after parting ways with their spouses, a stark reminder that no amount of money can fully shield one of the financial pitfalls of personal relationships gone awry…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>
One of the most shocking examples is that of former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué, who lost not only his properties in England but also custody of his children following a bitter divorce. Despite earning millions during his career, Eboué found himself stripped of almost everything. His situation became a cautionary tale, underscoring that even the wealthiest footballers can fall victim to the financial ruin that divorce can bring.
Eboué is not alone. Football legends such as Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs have also experienced significant financial losses due to divorce. Henry reportedly paid £10 million to his ex-wife, while Giggs parted with an astonishing £40 million after his marriage ended. Louis Saha and Wes Brown, both former Manchester United players, also suffered substantial financial hits, with Brown declaring bankruptcy despite earning £50,000 per week during his time at the club. His case highlights how even vast earnings can quickly evaporate when faced with legal settlements and financial mismanagement.
David James, the former England goalkeeper, faced a particularly dire situation, losing much of his fortune after divorce and being forced to auction his personal belongings to make ends meet. Similarly, Ray Parlour, another Arsenal great, saw his ex-wife receive half of his £10 million fortune, including a £2.5 million house. Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool star, also faced a hefty settlement, parting with half of his estimated £15 million fortune after his marriage ended.
These are just a few of the many footballers who have faced financial disaster due to divorce. Keith Gillespie, once a key figure in the Premier League, lost over £7 million, leading to his bankruptcy in 2010. Despite earning significant wages during his career, his divorce and poor financial decisions left him in financial ruin. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Perhaps the most shocking case is that of Tendai Ndoro, a Zimbabwean striker who lost everything after registering all his properties in his wife’s name. Following their breakup, she kicked him out of the house, leaving him with nothing. Ndoro’s story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of not protecting one’s assets, even in relationships where trust is implicit.
For footballers, whose careers often peak early, these financial setbacks can be devastating. While their salaries are among the highest in professional sports, the combination of short career spans, legal fees, and divorce settlements can quickly erode their fortunes. Many players also face additional challenges in managing their finances due to a lack of financial education or oversight during their playing years.
These stories underscore the importance of safeguarding personal wealth, especially for high-earning individuals like footballers, who may be more vulnerable to financial upheaval. Proper financial planning, asset protection strategies, and prenups are increasingly necessary tools for protecting one’s earnings and securing a stable future.
In conclusion, while the public sees footballers as insulated by their wealth, the reality is that they are just as susceptible to the financial hardships of divorce as anyone else. The personal struggles behind the scenes reveal that their lives, though glamorous on the surface, are often fraught with the same vulnerabilities and challenges faced by ordinary individuals. These cases serve as sobering reminders that financial security is never guaranteed, even for those at the pinnacle of success.
In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.
Posted at 1:13 a.m.
Updated at 7:00 a.m.
In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.
The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.
Well, no.
As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.
The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.
In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.
Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.
Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.
Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.
You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.
It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).
We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.
In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.
It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.
Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.
First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »
We all see what you did, Luc.
Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »
You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »
We are Marco.
It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.
Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.
Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.
