Curate of Curiosities

Boy, how many RPG Maker games has it been? We've had, in order, a game that seemed to be made by a 12-year-old raised on gross-out comedy, an unfinished ripoff of a far more successful game, an Earthbound-inspired game with a really stupid title, a game that's all about millenial malaise, and a game about lizard people being enslaved and no one doing anything about it.

I believe I said once that some of the most successful RPG Maker games aren't actually RPGs, and that it's very easy to make, for instance, an adventure game with it.

It was only a matter of time before I showcased one of those here, so here's Always Sometimes Monsters.

You know it's something when its title is both grammatically incorrect and self-contradictory.

It was developed by Canada-based developer Vagabond Dog and released in 2014.

From its official website, back when it was its developer's first game, and before the site's URL was purchased by an Indonesian gambling site:

Your pockets are empty.
Your life is in shambles.
You've ruined your career.
You're being evicted.

The love of your life is marrying someone else.

With precious little time left you make a last-ditch effort to salvage your world.

How far will you be willing to go to make things right again? What are you willing to sacrifice for one more chance at happiness?
Who are you willing to hurt in the process?

Who could judge you?
In the end, aren't we always sometimes monsters?

So it's one of those narrative games where "your choices matter," except when they don't? And good God, is that a pretentious blurb. Was there seriously no better way to justify such a nonsensical title?

But you know that there are some gamers who eat that shit up, so not only did some big-name gaming sites like Joystiq and Polygon give it high praise, but it managed to win Best Indie Game at the 2014 Canadian Video Game Awards.

I guess I should remind you that of the games made in Canada that I've showcased, none of them were very good. But then again, the RPG Maker game's that I've showcased are much more variable in quality, so who knows?

Sections:

1. Starting From The Bottom
   It doesn't bode well when you're forced to start the game at gunpoint, does it?
2. The Electoral Machine
   From what you've told us about the choices we make, I'd love to see your take on this subject as it applies to politics.
3. Race For Your Life
   I get wanting to be with your one true love, but you probably needed more foresight in getting there.
4. Forever Hold Your Peace
   Looks like were not the only one who's horribly irresponsible with money, huh?
5. Final Words