THE LINN-BENTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

VOL. 51 EDITION 22 MAY 6, 2020 A Dip Into the Metaverse

Explore the Gameplay, Music, and Character Profiles of Atlus' “Persona 5”

REVIEW BY ability called the “Wild Card”, an ability to have more than one persona. You can JOSHUA BLOEDEL execute certain personas to make a more Persona 5 is an M-rated RPG powerful persona. You can also turn created by Atlus. Released on April them into items or exp for your other 4, 2017, in the west (September 15, personas. As your personas level up, 2016, in Japan), this game has stolen they will learn more magical abilities. the hearts of many gamers as well as a The game also has a beautiful art-style ton of awards. In BTVA (Behind the and fantastic music such as “Wake Up, Voice Actors) Awards, the game won Get Up, Get Out There”, “Beneath the the best male lead and supporting vocal Mask”, “Last Surprise”, etc. role in a video game. In the NAVGTR So to recap, when it comes (National Academy of Video Game to story, this story is entertaining. Trade Reviewers) Awards, it won in Art My problem is that there were some Direction (Contemporary), Costume missed opportunities with some of the Design, Direction in a Game Cinema, characters. The story also seems to drag Game (Franchise Roleplaying), and on a little too long near the end. I give Writing in a Drama. Finally, in the Game A few of the characters you first world, you can bond with your characters the story an A-. Awards, it was nominated for Game of meet in your team are Ryuji Sakamoto as previously mentioned, increase your The gameplay is very fun. I the Year and Best Art Direction. With (codename: Skull), Ann Takamaki social stats (intelligence, kindness, etc.), love exploring the Metaverse while Persona 5 Royal finally out for PS4 (the (codename: Panther), and Morgana go to school, take on part-time jobs for also having a “normal” life in the real remaster of Persona 5), I find it only (codename: Mona). Ryuji was once the money, use that money for shopping, world. I just don’t like how cramped the fitting to review the original game. So, is star member of the Shujin Academy and craft items for the Metaverse. You game can be with its calendar. I give the this game delicious like pancakes, or is it track team. However, after trying to can even have a girlfriend if your bond is gameplay an A. pathetic? Find out in this review. stand up against the team’s abusive coach strong enough. It seemed very awkward I absolutely LOVE the You play as Ren Amamiya (Suguru Kamoshida), his leg was broken to me, however, that you can have soundtrack. There are just so many (while he is called Akira Kurusu in and his track team was suspended. someone like your teacher as a girlfriend. great pieces in this game. It also first the manga, I’m gonna stick with Ren Ann Takamaki is a model In the Metaverse, you can introduces the instrumental and then for the review since that is his name in Tokyo. Due to her foreign blood, explore Mementos which is basically a shows the lyrical version later. I give the in most appearances.), a high-school she has only one friend being Shiho palace for the general public, take on soundtrack an A+. Bonus points for the student put under probation due to Suzui. Shiho is a part of Kamoshida’s requests by changing people’s hearts in beautiful art-style. being falsely charged with assault for volleyball team. Occasionally, she will Mementos, or take on palaces to steal To conclude, Persona 5 is a protecting a woman who was being have “private training” sessions. After a person’s heart. However, you have a great game with a great story, gameplay, attacked by a drunk man. After moving the sessions, however, she gets injuries. due date to steal a person’s heart so time soundtrack, and art-style. to Tokyo, he meets his new classmates To protect Shiho from these physical management is key in this game. Though some characters could use in Shujin Academy and finds out about abuses, Takamaki herself became a Each day you can craft tools to more attention and the gameplay could the Metaverse, an alternate universe victim of Kamoshida's sexual abuses. loot chests in the palaces or Mementos, be quite difficult if you aren’t good with where the distorted desires of people are Morgana is a cat, despite bond with your confidants, or do stuff time management, I highly recommend manifested. him insisting he is a human. You like watching a movie to increase your this game. I give this game a 9.3/10. In the Metaverse, if a person’s first meet him in the first palace social stats. My main problem with desires are distorted enough, it becomes being Kamoshida’s. His backstory is the gameplay is it’s really hard to do a palace which is a dungeon of that mysterious but he is very familiar with everything due to how cramped the person’s desire. If you steal the person’s the world of the Metaverse. In the real calendar is. You have to replay the game treasure or heart (the source of the world, he accompanies you as a cat and since it saves your social stats if you want person’s desire) the palace crumbles and demands you to go to sleep despite you to bond with everyone. the person is penitent and pleads guilty wanting to do other stuff at night. When battling shadows for his crimes. Ren, also known as Joker, There are a ton of other great (enemies in the Metaverse), you can use and his classmates explore the Metaverse, characters but I wish there were more personas to use magic, a gun, or melee calling themselves the Phantom Thieves, details into some of the characters like attacks. Every shadow has a certain and stealing the hearts of rotten adults. Haru and Arsene. weakness. If you expose the weakness, Later, Ren gets caught and is interrogated In this game, you explore the they become stunned which allows you by Sae Nijima. Most of the game is Metaverse as Joker while also bonding to get more money, items, or let me trying to piece together what happened with your characters (or confidants) for join your team as a persona. All your between you moving to Japan, to being some sweet rewards to make the game teammates have a unique persona. captured and interrogated. easier as Ren. When you are in the real Joker, however, has a special

Inside this Edition PHOTOS: IMDB.COM

ONPA AWARDS HUMANS OF OUR COMMUNITY SEE PAGE 2 SEE PAGE 4 SEE PAGE 3 2 COMMUNITY MAY 6, 2020 LBCOMMUTER.COM  Kudos for The Commuter ONPA Honors The Commuter and Staff in Annual Journalism Contest

COURTESY OF writing and photography, to editing and • Best House Ad - Third Place, Vicki COMMUTER STAFF design, including regular and special Ballestero, for a Commuter recruiting ad sections, advertising and newspaper for a photo editor While the nation’s stay-at-home websites. • Best Website - Third Place order may be limiting how many printed The staff of The Commuter “These awards reflect the best copies of LBCC’s Commuter appear earned awards for: efforts of our student journalists, and their around campus, it hasn’t stopped the • Best Section - First Place work stands alongside the best of college The Commuter is the weekly newspaper’s staff from continuing to • Best Writing - Second Place, Alex journalism in the state of Oregon,” said student-run newspaper for LBCC, produce high-quality journalism. Gaub Rob Priewe, LBCC’s journalism faculty financed by student fees and The Commuter this week was • Best News Story - First Place, Caleb and adviser to The Commuter. advertising. Opinions expressed in recognized by the Oregon Newspaper Barber, for a story about LBCC’s career These awards recognized work The Commuter do not necessarily reflect those of the LBCC Publishers Association for journalism technical programs. that was published in The Commuter administration, faculty and students excellence, earning 12 awards in the • Best Feature Story - First Place, during the 2019 calendar year, so includes of LBCC. Editorials, columns, letters, group’s annual statewide journalism Caleb Barber, for a story about the writing and photography of students and cartoons reflect the opinions of competition. Among the awards were four immigration who graduated from LBCC last June. For the authors. first-place awards for Best Section, News • Best Feature Story - Second Place, more about this year’s awards, see www. LBCC is an equal opportunity Story, Feature Story, and Photography. Alex Gaub, for a story about plastics and orenews.com. educator and employer. Due to the coronavirus recycling Although The Commuter is not Letters Welcome quarantine, ONPA announced the awards • Best Feature Photo - Second Place, printing a paper edition this term, the The Commuter encourages online rather than at its annual journalism Angela Scott, for a photo of LBCC’s continuing work of LBCC’s journalism readers to use its “Opinion” pages children’s play to express their views on campus, workshop and awards program, which students can be viewed at the newspaper’s community, regional and national originally was set to happen May 1 at • Best Feature Photo - Third Place, website, lbcommuter.com, as well as the issues. The Commuter attempts LBCC’s Albany campus. The awards Angela Scott, for a photo of LBCC’s journalism student blogs at robpriewe. to print all submissions received, recognize student journalism in three welding program blogspot.com. but reserves the right to edit for college divisions: one for universities such • Best Photography - First Place, For more information about grammar, length, libel, privacy Angela Scott concerns and taste. Opinions as OSU and the University of Oregon; The Commuter and getting involved in expressed by letter submitters smaller universities such as Western; • Best Photography - Second Place, working at the campus newspaper, see do not represent the views of the and the state’s 17 community colleges, McKenna Christmas lbcommuter.com or contact Rob Priewe Commuter staff or the College. including LBCC. • Best House Ad - Second Place, Vicki at [email protected] or by calling Deliver letters to: Student journalists are honored Ballestero, for a Commuter recruiting 541-917-4563. Address: for work in a variety of categories, from advertisement The Commuter Forum 222 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW Albany, OR 97321 Web Address: LBCommuter.com pple s ew lan Phone: A ’ N P 541-917-4451, 4452 or 4449 Apple is Seemingly Quiet With its Supporters While Dropping a New iPhone: Quarantine Edition Email: [email protected] Twitter @LBCommuter evaluation. However, there is still the concern Facebook REVIEW BY LBCC The Commuter JAKOB JONES of "I'm not making any money, I can't buy a phone." To further hammer the nail in Instagram Apple is very interesting, @LBCommuter the coffin for Apple's product evaluation, especially with their own value proposition. they're releasing a cheap phone right during Apple focuses on quality, security, and Our Staff the time where many governments, the experience. One of the reasons people United States government to name one, Adviser purchase an Apple device rather than is releasing a nationwide stimulus deposit Rob Priewe the competitors is because Apple is very around $1200. A lot of people need every effective at convincing consumers their Editor-in-Chief penny of the $1200, but many more people Mckenna Christmas product is better than any rival. might view the iPhone SE as a wise choice After browsing Apple's Instagram Layout Designer to buy for its value, and we know consumers Rebecca Fewless to get a taste of how people were responding are all about perceived value. to their social media posts, I found out Managing Editors: I find it interesting that Apple Davis Ihde that Apple doesn't seem to respond to doesn't respond to any comments on any Caleb Barber anyone's suggestions. If anyone has a should people spend money on their of their social media posts. One could say question, it usually is answered by another A&E company during an epidemic in which it generates a mystery in which it urges Steven Pryor person (either realistically or facetiously). most people aren't making any money?” possible consumers to research more Joshua Bloedel Usually, on other companies' social Virtually nobody has any solid income information at "Apple.com," one of the media, consumer questions about logistics Photography Editor right now, and Apple is notorious for being main storefronts for Apple products. Once Jakob Jones are often answered by the company an expensive luxury. Due to the laws of people are on your website and looking Web Master themselves. However, in Apple's case, economics, elastic luxuries are the first to deeper into the product, a lot of them will Marci Sischo questions like these are usually answered be affected by a wide-scale drop in income. pull the trigger on buying it. by another person unaffiliated with Apple. Copy Editor Apple is combating this by Staying silent is a very smart Katie Littlefield It can only be assumed though impressive use of the Five-Step Consumer thing to do in Apple's case. As shown that the real answers are from people Decision-Making Process. They are also by the screenshots above, people will who support Apple. However, there are Sports targeting the need recognition and product gladly answer questions regarding any Cam Hanson many sarcastic answers, possibly posted evaluation of most consumers. Apple product, reinforcing the idea that by people who don't support or buy Apple Apple is releasing a mobile "Hey, a lot of people like these products! Contributors products. Why would they be reading device in which people who are stuck at They're highly rated!" Bowen Orcutt through Apple's comments? Isaiah Haqq home can access the internet and browse If I was an Apple social media Georgia Ry Dunn-Hartman Above is an interesting screenshot social media – which is arguably what manager, I would be taking additional Arianna Stahlbaum of comments from one of Apple's posts. a large percentage of the population steps to reinforce the idea that the iPhone Sabrina Parsons I think one of the more interesting Mckenna Christmas is doing right now. Apple releases a SE is a mid-range priced phone that aspects coming from Apple right now phone, but people might say, "wait a has all the features of most competitor's Konoha Tomono-Duval is their impressive use of the Five-Step Brenda Autry minute, I can't afford it." However, the flagships. Right now, the value Logan Helm-Williams Consumer Decision-Making Process. new iPhone SE is a high-quality phone proposition for Apple is that they provide Karen Canan Right now, Apple is targeting need at a mid-range cost. It has all the bells a better experience and quality for their Hikari Kawai recognition and product evaluation. and whistles of a luxury phone but consumers, but the hidden proposition is Dylan Studer The interesting thing is, Apple Nathan Crane at a lower cost than any flagship. It is that it comes at a price. Right now, you is making a genius move when it comes almost impossible for any other phone can get all the experience and quality of to marketing right now. The challenge manufacturer to compete with it at the an iPhone for less than half the price. which Apple is currently facing: “Why price range – therefore beating product  [email protected] MAY 6, 2020 LOCAL NEWS 3 Humans of our ommunity CTake an Inside Look Into the Lives of Some of our Essential Workers and 2020 Graduates Maddylen Carver Growing up this girl was always the light of the party as her parents tell it. With what they say about her I couldn't believe why not, sounds like she was a handful.

Her name is Maddylen Carver, she is now 18 years old and still the light of any party. She just graduated from Lebanon High School. Throughout high school she was always on the top 25 list of best grades each semester ranging towards the top 10 to 15 range.

Carver is planning on going to college and hopefully going into a medical field of some sort. She enjoys working with kids "from newborns to about 1st graders." Carver says they usually need the most attention. All she really cares about at the moment is that she was able to graduate during this very unfortunate time our world is going through.

Congratulations class of 2020! Your accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. STORY AND PHOTO BY DYLAN STUDER Liz Bahl Liz Bahl is an AP Host at the Albany Walmart and has been working at Walmart for nine years now. Bahl's Duan Qi duties as being an AP Host includes Let me introduce you to Duan Qi. greeting customers when they head He is a Sushi Chef for Momiji, in inside the store, as well as checking North Albany. He has been working customers' receipts to see if the at Momiji for about a year now. As customer remembered to scan any he works everyday, he is learning to items before buying them. When become an even better Sushi Chef. Bahl is done scanning the customers' receipts, she then tells the customers to have a good rest of their day. Duan was born in China, where he

had also studied and became a Tai Chi Recently, with the spread of Covis-19, Master. He then, eventually moved to Bahl starts off her day at work by the United States. He misses his home getting her temperature checked country very much, however he prefers at the Associate Screening room to to be living here in the States, because see if she has any of the symptoms caused by CoronaVirus. After Bahl he feels he has more freedom, and he is cleared, she then clocks in for simply enjoys being here. work, gets her equipment, and then she uses her tablet to count how He really cherishes his job at Momiji Albany, and absolutely loves making many customers walk in and out of sushi! Whenever he comes walking in the door to work, he always greets the store. Stay safe at work, Bahl, everyone with a huge smile and an optimistic attitude. So, if you ever find and thank you for all you do to help yourself picking up an order from Momiji, Albany, and you see him, make sure customers during the Corona Virus outbreak. to give him a smile and a wave hello! STORY AND PHOTO BY STORY AND PHOTO BY HIKARI KAWAI NATHAN CRANE

BACKGROUND PHOTO JAMES WHEELER FROM PEXELS 4 A&E MAY 6, 2020 LBCOMMUTER.COM  Sivan Speaks for the orld Through self-reflection and a passionW for music, Troye Sivan opens up about the shadows in his life

As you explore the song, you experience a smooth beat, building, and REVIEW BY ARIANNA STAHLBAUM building, and building. Sivan’s electric side rewards patient ears, just as it does ARTIST: Troye Sivan in his other songs, such as “YOUTH,” AGE: 24 In four minutes and nine “Strawberries & Cigarettes” and seconds, we sway our heads, close our “BLUE.” HOMETOWN: Perth, Australia eyes, and let the acoustics and soft Looking deeper into the lyrics, OCCUPATION: Singer- claps of soul-moving beats flood our you begin to understand the regret , actor, and YouTuber ears, letting the calm vibes take over. of letting life sweep you off your feet Listeners anywhere can relate, Troye. and wash you up on the shores of RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2020 We are tired of the city. unfamiliarity within yourself. WHERE TO LISTEN: YouTube, On April 1, Troye Sivan Cat Zhang, the executive YouTube Music, Apple Music, released his new single “Take Yourself editorial assistant for Pitchfork, further Home,” for his upcoming studio album. Spotify, Amazon Music, iTunes explains that “you can imagine a Home.” I understand that it is part of Fans had been waiting for the song’s Store, Tidal, Pandora wearied body moving itself to this song, his style, but it feels out of place in this release, especially since he has not first still, then swaying, freed by the idea song. He does a good job of weaving SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram, released any music in 20 months, and of returning home.” it into the lyrics of his other songs, Twitter, Facebook still continue to eagerly wait for the rest We become individuals looking however, it’s lacking here. of the album to come. “Take Yourself OTHER RELEASES: Bloom, out over a skyline of exhaustion over a Overall, I love “Take Yourself Home” has already been streamed over There For You, My My My!, busy and confusing unexpected reality. Home” because it’s easy to listen to and 10 million times and is Sivan’s second We are tired of being overwhelmed. I’ve found it to be quite relaxing, even most popular song on Spotify. I enjoyed the relatability of while studying. It’s quite a mood setter, Recorded With: Lauv, Martin It begins with a serene the song. Many of us can agree that we for sure. Garrix, Cahrl XCX melancholic chorus of voices and gentle sometimes find ourselves in situations Sivan has learned a lot about strums on a guitar. “I’m tired of the ALBUMS: Bloom, Blue of being where we aren’t quite sure how himself and the process of pursuing city | Scream if you’re with me | If I’m Neighborhood, TRXYE, Dare to we got there, and we crave the comfort a life he could be proud of. After gonna die, let’s die somewhere pretty.” and familiarity of home. He brings the beginning his journey he realized the Dream Throughout the song, we follow Sivan melody and story together with fluidity, work it would take to make a name Pop, Synth-pop, on a journey to his past. His reflections GENRES: subtle beats, and echoes that pull the for himself, but most importantly, he clearly share how he “hardly recognized Electropop, Dance-pop past into the present. understood that “life isn't about finding my life + myself.” He found himself While I do appreciate the yourself, it is about creating yourself.” RATING: 4.5/5 caught up in restrictions he never electro-pop flare in some of his other wanted but created. songs, I do not love it in “Take Yourself

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