enviplaysgames
Envi Plays Games
I'm Envi (they/them)!
This channel is about video games with meaningful representation of trans/queer/poc/women in their protagonists, narratives, and/or development team.
The goal of this channel is to create space on Twitch that is actively anti-oppressive and catered to QTPOC ♥
Tuesdays - New Videos:
Subscribe on Youtube.com
(currently every other Tuesday)
Thursdays - Twitch Streams:
8:30p CST on Twitch.tv/imEnvi0us
You can also find me on
Twitter • Patreon •
Steam Curator
136 posts
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
Last Seen Blogs
th0ughts0fsea
Mediocre At Best
gonersgoners
GonersGoners
endrman
endermen are friends!!!
ilovebigbootyhole2
Untitled
heikadog
heikadog
Text
Thank you
Immense gratitude for everyone who supported, watched, commented, donated during the almost six years that I ran this channel. It was a phenomenal time; I learned, laughed, and grew so much.
Ultimately, what I really wanted when starting this channel was a more welcoming and equitable and kind gaming space. I still want that. And since February of 2020, my work at Feminist Frequency helping to launch the Games and Online Harassment Hotline has been all about working towards that. I believe we are doing incredibly meaningful work. I don't think I would be as good at that job if I hadn't done all this work here at Envi Plays Games.
(I know I’ve already done a poor job of keeping this page updated, but) I will no longer be regularly updating this channel. My final video queue will complete uploading this month on my Youtube channel: http://youtube.com/enviplaysgames
I’ve got loads of play throughs on there, and I feel so proud of what I’ve created and cultivated in this time. Thank you for being there with me along the way.
2 notes
·
View notes
Photo
“Wait, that’s now how it’s supposed to go.”
Fan art for the most beautiful typing game I’ve ever played, Epistory!
9 notes
·
View notes
Photo
Epistory (2016) by Fishing Cactus
Epistory is an atmospheric adventure typing game that tells the story of a writer lacking inspiration who asks her muse to help write her latest book.
12 notes
·
View notes
Text
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP
This game has heard every praise sung in its name. I can’t wait to play it. Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP puts us in a little mythic realm where we’ll solve mystical musical mysteries to help our hero on her adventure.
As the “EP” part of the title might suggest, this game is heavily focused on its soundtrack and audiovisual experience. I’m delighted already.
From their website:
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP is an exploratory action adventure with an emphasis on audiovisual style. Traverse a mythic little realm, use a sword to do battle & evoke sworcery to solve mystical musical mysteries. Co-operate with friends via Twitter, experience a videogame world that is affected by moon phases & help a wandering warrior monk complete her woeful errand.
Tune in tonight at 8:30p CST on Twitch.tv/imenvi0us →
3 notes
·
View notes
Text
Epistory — Typing Chronicles
A well known fact about me is how much I love my clicky blue switch mechanical keyboard. You can’t live with me if you can’t stand it. I game, I write, and I chat for hours on this thing, and I will never, ever, ever get over the RGB rainbow goodness ♥.
How delighted I am to then be playing this beautiful atmospheric typing game, Epistory — Typing Chronicles (2016) by Fishing Cactus, with my lovely keyboard and in this lovely origami world.
We’ll be helping a writer finish her latest book. She’s stuck and lacking inspiration, which is where we come in.
“In Epistory you play the muse, a fictional character in a world where everything is untold. Your adventure begins on a blank page, but the world will soon become larger and livelier as you gather inspiration, solve its mysteries and defeat its enemies. From movement to opening chests and fighting in epic battles, every element in the game is controlled exclusively with the keyboard.” (from the creators)
It’s been years since I’ve played a typing game, and I really can’t wait to explore this world full of bugs and wild terrain.
Tune in Thursday 4/12/18 at 8:30pm CST on Twitch.tv/imenvi0us
1 note
·
View note
Text
Oxenfree
Let me just list some of the tags for this 2016 game so that there will be nothing left for me to explain why I want to stream it: Story Rich, Choices Matter, Supernatural, Female Protagonist, Atmospheric, Indie, Adventure, Horror, Great Soundtrack, Multiple endings, Lovecraftian
Teens camping on an island accidentally opening a portal into hell? Count me in.
From Night School Studio:
Oxenfree is a supernatural thriller about a group of friends who unwittingly open a ghostly rift. Play as Alex, a bright, rebellious teenager who brings her new stepbrother Jonas to an overnight party on an old military island. The night takes a terrifying turn when you unwittingly open a ghostly gate spawned from the island’s cryptic past. How you deal with these events, your peers, and the ominous creatures you’ve unleashed is up to you.
YOU determine every aspect of Alex's story while exploring Edwards Island, uncovering the base's dark past, and changing the course of your friends' lives.
Features:
-An intelligent conversation system that changes the story and your relationships based on every decision
-A unique radio mechanic that allows Alex to communicate with mysterious spectres and manipulate her world
-Art from Disney alum and an original soundtrack by scntfc (Sword & Sworcery, Galak-Z)
-Multiple mysteries to unravel, spanning decades and lifetimes
-Inspired by little-known events of World War II
-Featuring voice talent from The Wolf Among Us, The Walking Dead, Borderlands and more
Tune in this Thursday 4/5/18 at 8:30p CST on twitch.tv/imenvi0us →
0 notes
Photo
"die die die"
This month's fan art print features The Silent from Slay the Spire! I've been playing so much of this game, and I love all of the imagery of her deck. Thanks to all of my $10 tier Patreon supporters, who will receive an exclusive print in their mailboxes~
1 note
·
View note
Photo
"To share, to yearn, to carve us into the world. There is nothing to fear when there is two against the devil. But we can't wait to see what they'll do against the three worst girls since Eve." Fan art for my @Patreon loves from We Know the Devil by @pillowfightio
135 notes
·
View notes
Text
Celeste
With all the hype it’s been getting, this game needs no introduction. I’ve been following this game with such anticipation (gosh, I love everything Amora B. does), and it’s so wonderful all the amazing and loving attention that it’s gotten since its release in January.
From the team behind Towerfall Ascension (namely Matt Thorson, Noel Berry, Lena Raine, and MiniBoss AKA Amora B, Pedro Medeiros & others), Celeste is a “super-tight, hand-crafted platformer.” We plays as Madeline, climbing CEleste Mountain and witnessing as its mysteries unfold. I’m sure we’ll meet some quirky and interesting faces along the way. I’m also sure I’ll die... a lot.
Similar to Super Meat Boy, this game requires that you play, die, and learn repeatedly in order to figure out levels and advance from screen to screen. Fortunately, it looks like each screen isn’t too dense, so the death penalty isn’t too high.
Additionally, there’s also an Assist mechanic, that unlocks different mechanics that “break” the game but make it much easier to play through, if someone is unable to beat the levels but still wants to experience the art and story. I think this is a brilliant way to build in accessibility to a game and be considerate of all of the motivations and capabilities for all kinds of gamers.
Onwards and upwards.
Catch my stream (&VODS) at twitch.tv/imenvi0us !! See you on the mountain~
8 notes
·
View notes
Video
youtube
Tabikaeru ♥ 7 mins of gameplay
From the creators of Neko Atsume, Tabikaeru (Journey Frog) is the adorable new mobile game about a frog who goes on adventures and sends you souvenirs from their travels! It's so wholesome and wonderful~
The Game (google play): https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...
The Game (itunes): https://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/apple...
The Developers: http://www.hit-point.co.jp/
More Thoughts: http://www.envi0usgaming.com/tagged/t...
0 notes
Photo
Tabikaeru (2018) by Hit-Point
“Journey Frog,” a relaxing mobile idle game about a frog who takes adventures and sends you souvenirs and pictures from their travels.
14 notes
·
View notes
Video
youtube
Recettear (Highlights) - Intro & Days 1-4 ♥
I’ve always wanted to run one of the item shops in RPG adventurers’ towns! We live the dream in Recettear :)
Tags: female protagonist, jRPG
Total Playtime: 18+ hours
The Game: http://www.carpefulgur.com/recettear/
The Developers: http://egs.cug.net/
More Thoughts: http://www.envi0usgaming.com/tagged/r...
1 note
·
View note
Text
Shantae: Risky’s Revenge
My dear friend Ethan Parker (@ethandrawsstuff) will be joining me for these streams!
Shantae: Risky’s Revenge is a 2010 game by WayForward Technologies that originally debuted on the Nintendo DSi, and is the second game of the Shantae series. It’s a cute lil platformer about a half-genie, Shantae, who can take down enemies with a whip of her ponytail. The “Director’s Cut,” which is what we’re playing on PC, was released in 2014.
It’s worth mentioning that the character design of Shantae perpetuates the existing tropes and stereotypes that are often used to dehumanize Arab women. For an adventurer fighting baddies, she is not wearing much clothing, and her figure follows a lot of the problematic anatomy of many comic book and video game female characters. And from some of the images I’ve seen, the game’s other female characters follow in the same vein. Still, it’s pretty awesome to see a leading lady with brown skin in a metroidvania game.
Ethan and I plan to be streaming this game for the next two streams, and we’re looking forward to having lots of fun!
Join us on Thursday 1/4 and 1/11 at 8:30p CST on twitch.tv/imenvi0us
0 notes
Photo
Recettear (2010) by EasyGameStation
An RPG about running an Item Shop in an adventurers’ town.
1 note
·
View note
Video
youtube
Costume Quest: Grubbins on Ice ♥ JOIN THE RESISTANCE
Here’s some bonus content in this wonderful game. An epilogue of sorts. Let’s dive deep into the cultures, communities, and celebrations of the Grubbins, Trowbogs, Crestwailers, and Repugiarchs! More costumes, more baddies.
Note: There were a lot of battles in this one that I cut out! They got a little repetitive, but if you wanna see more fights & action check out the rest of the costume quest series videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
Tags: female protagonist (binary gender option), POC main characters, black main character, asian main character, queer side characters, POC side characters
Total Playtime: 2 hours
The Game: http://store.steampowered.com/app/115...
The Developers: http://www.doublefine.com/
More Thoughts: http://www.envi0usgaming.com/tagged/c...
0 notes
Text
Assorted Queer Gaymes Night
I’ve really been wanting to do another one of these, and it’s been a while since my last one, which I called “Video Games & Chill”
A disclaimer ahead of the stream: I have had a harder time finding playtime estimates for these games, so I may or may not get to all of them tonight. Or the stream might be over in an hour.
Caper in the Castro (1989) by CM Ralph
This game has been making rounds for being claimed as the first LGBT game. It was originally “distributed via BBS, and is 'Charityware', with the designer asking players to donate to the AIDS Charity of their choice” (from the archive website).
We’ll play the “world famous lesbian private detective, Tracker McDyke,” who is searching for a kidnapped drag queen. As in any detective story, I’m sure things will unfold wildly from there.
Interestingly, they released a straight version as well, changing the locations (and I’m guessing the genders?) and releasing it as “Murder on Main Street.”
Mainichi (2012) by Mattie Brice
This game has no title graphic that I could find, and it has very little to go from by its description. It’s a game made in RPG Maker that doesn’t consider itself an RPG. It features a black trans woman as its protagonist and “is an experiment in sharing a personal experience through a game system.... it stands as a commentary of how we currently use game design for broad strokes of universal experiences instead of the hyper-personal, and often exclude minority voices” (from her website). It looks so interesting, and I’m as intrigued as I can be. So, I’m definitely gonna start the night off with this wildcard.
By the way, Mattie has a TEDx Talk on “Using Play for Everyday Activism”
Coming Out Simulator (2014) by Nicky Case
I love me some game jam games. This game was made for the #Nar8 Game Jam, and it continues the thread of personal queer narrative video game.
From their website:
You play as a semi-fictional version of me, on a night that changed my life forever. Choose your (my?) words wisely. Every character will remember everything you say -- or don't say -- as you figure out how to approach my (your?) hyper-conservative Asian parents. And if all that seems confusing or awkward... well, that's the gist of coming out as queer, isn't it?
TRIAD (2015) by anna anthropy and Leon Arnott
This puzzle game is the cutest thing ever. It’s a poly slider block puzzle based on the premise of trying to fit three lovers in the same bed so that everyone can sleep comfortably.
From their site:
TRIAD is about the most difficult puzzle of all: human relationships.... Everyone has their own different needs and sleeping quirks. Plus there's a cat. Can YOU solve this puzzle? Many have tried - few have succeeded!
The Raccoon Who Lost Their Shape (2016) by Fathom
This raccoon summons... the ghosts... of dead... shape people?
I don’t remember why I bookmarked this game, but it looks interesting and there’s a they/them pronoun in the title, I guess. :P Let’s check out the life of this enby shape whisperer.
#queer games#lgbtq games#lgbtq pride#games as art#games as activism#mainichi#mattie brice#caper in the castro#coming out#coming out simulator#triad#anna anthropy#the raccoon who lost their shape#fathom#nicky case
0 notes
Text
We Know the Devil
Last week, I finished the Flame in the Flood a little early on stream and still had another hour or so left, so I decided to play a bit of this visual novel! Thus, I’m doing this intro a bit in retrospect, but I wanted to look into the game more as well, since I enjoyed it so much.
We Know the Devil (2016) by Date Nighto is a surreal story about three teens at a sleepaway summer camp. It’s full of angst and peer pressure, and it lets you down into the twilight zone so carefully, you hardly notice.
WE KNOW THE DEVIL is a story about everyone who made you cry at summer camp. It’s about missing your Sailor Moon VHS tapes. It’s about how being irresponsible is contagious. It’s about knowing that in a group of three, two of you will be closer than the other.
And it’s about being weird and queer and wrong and hoping against hope no one will find out when the actual, literal devil comes for you.
Our trio features Jupiter, a reserved tomboy, Neptune, a meangirl, and Venus, awkward and shy. Throughout the visual novel, you are asked to choose pairings at various story points. In this way, there is no main protagonist, and the game asks you to feel out pairings rather than partners.
Date Nighto is really interesting dev team, with Conrad Kreyling as its technical lead and Lindsay Woods as its art director. As part of their work, they created htmlVN, a game engine specifically designed for visual novels that can be played on any browser. Their games “focus on accessibility, LGBTQ-friendliness, great storytelling and beautiful art.”
I really enjoyed my first play through of this game, and I will be returning to the game to find more of the ending, so stay tuned!
4 notes
·
View notes