The Return

Resistance to oppression is a common theme in history, literature, film, and games, and we're witnessing it in real life today.

My favorite games often revolve around the resistance to aggression from oppressive powers: the people of Hyrule desperately resisting Ganon; Mysidia standing up to the invasion of Baron; the people of the Bionis doing everything they can against invasions from Mechonis; the Returners rising up against the Gestahlian Empire.

Like music, games are an outlet for creativity and exploration, and they make our lives better. But both art forms are often tied to troubling aspects of reality. We're witnessing an innocent nation being invaded by a more powerful neighbor and it's horrifying. I hope the other nations of the world give it the help it needs to resist this oppression.

The brave, suffering Ukrainian people are inspiring me this week. My heart also goes out to the majority of peaceful Russian citizens who are utterly against this madness. I'll never forget my anger at my own country in the spring of 2003. Wars of aggression are always bad for everyone but the extremely evil.