The Liberty Ledger J U N E 2 0 2 1 I S S U E 2 4

Home , How They Remember You, Silent protagonist, Superhot, The Orange Box, This Is Happening

Why Chrysler is Dying

And how it Happened

By: Emil A. Koning

Chrysler: An icon of America, making both the cars everyone owns and the cars everyone wishes to own. At least, that was how it once was. But this is the twenty- first century, where Lincolns dominate the luxury market, and Fords and Chevrolets fill the economy car market. Where’s Chrysler, you ask? While it’s still in business, it’s really already dead.

This has been a long time coming. Since its bankruptcy in 2009 and takeover by Fiat in 2014, Chrysler has been falling apart. From the discontinuation of its signature minivan, the Town & Country (Which is really just a rebadged Dodge Caravan), in 2016, and their standard sedan, the 200, in 2017, their lineup has thinned enormously in recent years.

Left: Chrysler 300, Right: Dodge Grand Caravan.

The problem with Chrysler is not one from just 12 years ago. Chrysler’s problems really stem from the K-cars. Those sad little cars, introduced in 1980, were immensely popular in their time, and were great for Chrysler - In the short term. However, it marked the beginning of across-the-board brand engineering, since the cars were extremely similar to the Dodge Aries, but over $2,000 more expensive - $9,309 compared to the Aries’s $7,039 base price in 1985, according to JD Power’s NADA guides. This likely scared off many longtime fans of the brand.

The Liberty Ledger

Why Chrysler is Dying And how it Happened … Continued By: Emil A. Koning

A Chrysler LeBaron and its Convertible Version Another issue has been Chrysler’s disgrace of long-running model names. When they are compared, the current model is almost always much less desirable than the model’s original form. Don’t believe me? Take a look.

Top to bottom: Chrysler Town & Country, Chrysler 300, Chrysler LeBaron

The Liberty Ledger

Why Chrysler is Dying And how it Happened … Continued By: Emil A. Koning

See? Even when the original is unattractive, such as (in my opinion) the LeBaron, the later model is always so much worse. If you ask me, the only desirable post-1980 Chrysler is the LeBaron convertible, as seen earlier, which also just happened to be the very last K-car ever.

Another branding issue is their reuse of old failed model names. Their current Pacifi- ca minivan, for example, uses the same name as their flopped SUV, the 2004-2007 Pacifica, while bearing absolutely no resemblance to the original.

Another example of this, while less severe, is the new Voyager, which I originally thought was a revival of the old Plymouth Voyager. Instead, it is simply a renamed, lower trim, version of the 2017-2020 Pacifica, which makes some sense since Plym- outh was a lower priced make of the Daimler-Chrysler.

Late 1990s Plymouth Voyager vs. 2020 Chrysler Voyager What can Chrysler do to save itself? I’m not sure. It’s ruined itself with its three cor- porate mergers in the 20 years, disgrace of long-running model names, and confus- ing thin lineup. At this point, holding onto its new reputation for making minivans seems like their only hope for the time being, but at some point, it should reinstate its reputation as the Rolls-Royce of America.

The Liberty Ledger

A Cruelty Free Revolution

By: Jasmine A. Prime

In today’s world, everything is about being sustaina- ble and ethical. Part of this sustainability and ethics of products is refraining from testing on animals. This practice is also referred to as cruelty-free. You may be thinking, “What's the issue with putting skincare products on a pig?” Well, there is more to testing cosmetics on animals than just slapping lipstick on a rabbit. According to Human Society International, “Cosmetic animal tests are archaic chemical- poisoning experiments devised more than half a making a change. Write letters or emails, attend century ago, such as rodent “lethal dose” tests town hall meetings, organize protests, do what (1920s), rabbit eye and skin irritation tests (1940s) and you can in order to get your message out there to guinea pig skin allergy tests (1950s).” Currently, there your representatives. If you’re unable to protest or are 209 countries out of 249 that allow cosmetic march you can support brands like Fenty Beauty, testing on animals. Among these countries are Ja- Mac, Dove, ColourPop, and other brands that ex- pan, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, plicitly say they are cruelty free. Down below a list and 204 more. Practices from over a hundred ago containing hundreds of cruelty-free brands is are still being, unnecessarily, used in our modern- available for anyone interested in supporting the day world. It’s important that we as a society pro- cause. Simply type in, or copy and paste, the link gress past such barbaric methods and make a into your search engine and scroll through to find change. the brands you like best. A link containing brands that should be avoided, Axe, Banana-Boat, Cha- nel, Gucci, etc, can also be found below.

There are many organizations and independent activists out there that spread awareness about animal testing and why you should support cruelty -free brands. A few organizations that many recommend are Humane Society International, Choose Cruelty Free, Cruelty Free Kittys, Ethical Elephants, and Leaping Bunnys. All of these or- In this movement no contribution is too small. A sim- ganizations are places where you can find out ple way you can contribute to ending cosmetics be- more information about animal tests, donate to ing tested on animals is by supporting ethically non-profits against animal testing, and look for an sourced and cruelty-free brands. By avoiding brands updated list of brands that support animal test- that don’t label themselves as cruelty-free YOU can ing. be a part of the bigger picture when it comes to The Liberty Ledger

Hope - A Poem

By: Jana Abdelghany Did you know that April is National Po- The virus doesn’t mind, it keeps on ris- etry Month? Yes, and this year, we are cele- ing despite our daily fights. brating its 25th anniversary! Back to square one, it feels discour-

Launched by the Academy of Ameri- aging. It feels like an endless boxing can Poets in April 1996, National Poetry match waiting for the bell to ring. Month reminds the public that poets have an Now, sanitizing, social distancing, iso- integral role to play in our culture and that lating became our new routine. poetry matters. I have written a poem all They're still trying to figure it out, about 2020-2021. From a global pandemic to meanwhile racial injustice, all the way to politics! We have been through one tough year, but that Hope is our rainbow in the sky. doesn't mean that HOPE is not on our side! Pandemic, Politics, Protest, Polemic, the only P missing is Peace! Hope When all this is happening, In these unsettled times, You keep me going, hoping You’re the one I have sought That all was a bad joke! We are still in a global pandemic, Blurry future, too many questions, not Going outside created a huge polem- enough answers, ic. You bring peace to my heart & soul We still have protests, people fighting and that gives me hope! for their lives

EARTHBOUND

By: Dominic Fondetto

In 1994, a game called Earthbound, aka MOTHER 2, came out on August 27, in Japan and June 5, 1995, in America. The game somehow sold horribly in America, maybe because of the advertising. You play as this character named Ness, I just renamed him Domi because why not. You have to stop the evil Giygas (or Gyiyg) from tak- ing over the world, but you need 3 more people to join you, Paula, Jeff, and Poo (yes that’s his name, don’t laugh). Together you get the 8 melodies to connect to the Earth. Once you reach Giygas’s lair, you can finally attack the opponent, regular attacks won’t work, so Paula will have to pray. You can even fight Puke in this game (yes, you can, you can laugh now). One thing I find kinda funny is how you get a mushroom on your head by the Ramblin’ evil mushroom in the game, and you hit your- self. Overall it’s a pretty nice rpg, despite being the sequel to Earthbound Begin- nings (I actually have the first game on the Wii U.), I recommend this game, you don’t have to play it, but you can if you want, I rate this game an 11/10 . The Liberty Ledger Card Deck Review: Every Deck I Own By: Alvaro Quequejana

To start, I have a collection of cards totaling each review, I will leave a photo of the deck. up to twenty-one card decks (I am not in- This deck I just liked a lot. Of course, I have cluding three decks so, it's eighteen). The changed favorites now. The quality is stand- price overall spent on them is about $180. ard and the design is not too extra. Not that much, considering that there other card decks like the Virtuosos or Golden Re- #4: Bicycle: Stargazer serves that go for way more than just $500. As the title says, this a card deck review of every Coming a few weeks deck I have. I will keep it short for this article after getting the Fro- to make it to the newspaper. With that, let's zen deck. This design begin. of cards was very intriguing. Unlike the #1: Bicycle Pinochle other card decks An accidental pur- from Bicycle, the chase by my mother quality of this deck turned out to be good. felt marvelous. It was This deck is like any smooth and, the glide effect is still there to standard Bicycle deck. this day. Flourishes and other shuffles would The only difference work great on this deck. here is that it has 48 cards, not 52. It is like #5: Bicycle Aureo this because it is a deck made for a game called Pinochle. I do not know that game Based on the Aureo whatsoever. painting Leonardo Da Vinci made during The #2: Red Standard Bicycle Renaissance, I was at- tracted to this deck as This purchase I made well. The pips and num- myself after borrow- bers are bold in color ing money from my and, the faces of the mother. It was cheap cards are beautiful. The jokers have Da Vin- and, the quality is ci's face on them and, the design of the what you expect for deck is good. any bicycle deck. Nothing too big to express. #6: Bicycle: Aurora

#3: Bicycle: Ice This card deck stands out more than any of This deck is one of the the others. Quality was first decks I have grown sharp and the design quite fond of, dating of the back, pips, num- back to two or three bers, and faces was years ago. The design just remarkably good. is different and, after You could pretty much The Liberty Ledger

Card Deck Review: Every Deck I Own … Continued By: Alvaro Quequejana do anything with the card deck. It is smooth all Theory11 cards have and the tuck case so, shuffles are good here too. looks good too.

#7: Theory11: Monarchs #10: Theory11: Contraband ALERT! INCOMING DECK! This deck Another deck has blown me with an intricate away unlike, the design goes for other decks that the tuck case, did the same. This pips, faces, and had a different numbers. This feel, a different deck is one of the kick. Design is just decks I hoped to WOW and, alt- get but, it was out hough the design of pips and faces are of my reach. standard with some gold foil, it deserves to Quality is great and, the sole reason I want- have a good review. The tuck case is aston- ed these was because of the aces. ishing though! #11: Theory11: National #8: Theory11: High Victorian This deck is a The original color of good one to use this deck is green but, for me. The design I preferred red. This of everything is deck has a very intri- great and the cate design and quality is too. If I goes to the pips, could, I would use numbers, faces, and these every day. card deck design. The tuck case is beautiful as usual. #12: Theory11: Animal Kingdom The cards are of very good quality too like the Monarchs. Not the one I wanted but, I like these #9: Theory11: Artisans Black Edition too. The design is good and the The original color of quality is good. The this deck is white but, pips, faces, and I liked the black deck. numbers are what Nothing much from are eye-catching. this deck with a standard design for pips, numbers, and #13: Bicycle: Archangels Designed By Theory11 faces. Pretty much the same quality as I was wondering why this deck felt unusual- The Liberty Ledger

Card Deck Review: Every Deck I Own … Continued By: Alvaro Quequejana

ly good for a Bicycle some errors here and there. deck and then I found out it was designed by #17: Theory11: Voyager Theory11. This is one of the first decks I wanted This deck has a subtle and I wanted it for two change from The years. I have it now so, Navigators deck with I got my wish. The qual- a good but plain card ity is great, and the de- design and a stand- sign is great too! ard card design for everything else. One #14: Bicycle: Capitol thing that stands out is the tuck case. This deck has the standard quality of any Bicycle deck. The de- #18: Theory11: Provision sign though is really good. It has not that This deck is very at- much to offer but, it is tractive. The tuck a good deck. case is simple yet intricate and the same could go for the card design. A well-made #15: Bicycle: Amplified deck like this gets a great review! This deck has a good design and good quality. There is not All these decks have a special place in my that much it offers be- memory. They all helped me in my interest sides it being different in card magic and they also keep me from the other decks. calm. I will never forget them for they all give me special memories of my life.

#16: Theory11: StarWars (Red)

A worthy contribution to the StarWars franchise, this deck has amazing quality. The design is special and the tuck case varies on what color you choose. This is nicely made although it has The Liberty Ledger Scott Pilgrim vs the World : The Game

By: Dominic Fondetto

In 2010, there was a game called Scott Pilgrim vs stadia, Amazon Luna, and for the first time, PC. the World: The Game was released by Ubisoft, the creators of Assassin's Creed, and that one Mario and Rabbids crossover. Developed by Ubisoft Montreal and Ubisoft Chengdu, It was probably a success on the PS3, and the Xbox 360, I don’t know if it actually was a success, I never played the original game. Photo by Ubisoft

Despite being a good Photo by Ubisoft game, it had to Overall it’s a pretty good game, it’s one of my disap- favorite beat em ups, it’s not the best game I pear for ever played, but it’s not the worst game I ever some played, so I’m neutral, but hey, I can finally play reason, this game on the go thanks to the switch re- probably lease. Even if I didn’t play the original, it’s still because of licensing issues. pretty neat that I got to experience it for the first time. Then, 10 years later, at Ubisoft forward, the game got a rerelease, and people got excited about the So what do I think of it? 9/10, though it may rerelease. have flaws, I recommend it, but as I said with my earthbound review, you don’t have to play On January 14, 2021, the game was available for it. PlayStation 4, Switch (the one I have), Xbox one,

Prediction for Chess Sequel

By: Dominic Fondetto

Ever since chess was invented, there was no sequel, and there never was a sequel, but, sometime this year, there will be a sequel

Here are my predictions:  It will have a Battle Royale mode so 100 people can play the game with you.  It will also have a story mode, where you have to slay the checker demon once and for all.  It will also have a 4 player mode for those who don’t want to play with 100 people.  Last but not least, it will have a pass for people who want to support the game for only 5 kidneys.  This is what I think, although it might not happen, it will happen in the future. The Liberty Ledger Celebrity Lookout: Freddie Mercury

By: Jasmine Prime & Jana Abdelghany

~ GROWING UP ~ But, it had still hailed as one of the most ex- citing developments ever in rock music. Freddie Mercury, Later, in 1974, they released their second Farrokh Bulsara, was album “Queen II.” The album combines a born in September heavy rock sound with art rock and pro- 1946 to Bomi Bul- gressive rock elements and was called “a sara and Jer Bul- pillar of grandiose, assaultive hard rock" by sara. Mercury was the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Many fa- born in Zanzibar mous companies such as Disc, NME, and was the eldest Sounds, and even Rolling Stone had of 2 children. Fred- praised the album. This did not receive any die was born with 4 awards either. Now, their next album, or extra teeth earning song, really set them off. That same year, him the childhood they released the “Sheer Heart Attack” nickname, Bucky. which included songs such as “Killer His teeth4 would in Queen”(remastered). As we know, this is the future become one of their most popular songs and made one of his most iconic features. Freddie was their careers take off! They had won about sent to boarding school by his parents at the 6 awards for the album and song, including age of 8 years old. While at boarding school “Melody Maker: Band of The Year” and Freddie was surrounded by music and even “Record Mirror: 2nd Best single (Killer took piano lessons. Freddie even joined a Queen)”. Although this album had been a band. Freddie then returned to his home hit, their next album in 1975 “A Night at The country of Zanzibar in 1963. A year later Fred- Opera” caught people’s attention more. die’s family relocated to London where Mer- This album had included songs like “You’re cury attended Ealing College of Art where he My Best Friend” and the famous song we became well acquainted with the art of mu- know all too well, “Bohemian Rhapsody”! It sic. Continuing on with the theme of music in was most famous for its mix of a ballad, op- his life, Mercury joined a band known as Ibex. eratic passage, hard rock, and for its 6- After joining Ibex Freddie hopped from band minute duration. Producers and agents to band before settling down and joining with had told them that this song would never the future bandmates of the most well-known make it because of its time, and said that it band he was a part of, Queen.

~ TICKET TO STARDOM ~

Mercury met his drummer and guitarist Roger Taylor and Brian in 1960, the year he moved to London. He later met his bassist, John Dea- con, and the band Queen had played their first gig together in June of that same year. In 1973, the band released their first album titled “Queen”, which they had won no awards for. The Liberty Ledger

Celebrity Lookout: Freddie Mercury… Continued By: Jasmine Prime & Jana Abdelghany

would be a gest performances yet. Performing at the flop. They Live Aid. Live Aid is a charity concert and were wrong! about 72,000 people had attended to see Bohemian him. It was showstopping and unforgetta- Rhapsody had ble! People to this day go back and watch been nomi- it because it was just so fun. After that, nated for 2 about a year later, He had performed in his Grammys and now last concert, at Knebworth on August was on the 9, 1986. On November 4, 1991, Freddie Mer- top of the UK cury had died from AIDS. He had gotten chart for 9 pneumonia and died that day. It was also weeks. It has part due to drugs he was doing over the also won years. People all over the world were dev- “Sound: Best astated, as it was broadcasted on national Album (A television. To honor him, The remaining Night at the three Queen members pulled together and Opera); Best released their final album “Made In Heav- Single en '' in 1995. Mercury had overworked to ("Bohemian make sure Queen had enough music to Rhapsody")”, “Ivor Novello Award: Freddie continue without him, but they decided Mercury for "Bohemian Rhapsody" and many not to without him. more! This song is what had set Queen apart, what had given it its colorful, unpredictable, In 2018, the Bohemian Rhapsody and flamboyant personality. Around this time movie was released to pay homage to is when he had started realizing more about Queen, more specifically Freddie Mercury, himself, and specifically his sexuality. In the and everything they had gone through to 70s, he had come out to his long-time girl- get to friend, Mary Austin, as Gay. She had stated where that they had an honest talk and she felt they there was a huge burden lifted, that he had were. It returned to being himself again. In 1977, starred Queen released their album “News Of the Rami Ma- World '', which included songs known around lek, who the world such as “We Will Rock You” and was per- “We Are The Champions”! These songs fect to stretched their popularity even further and play Mer- really made them known. They had also re- cury. The leased an album called “A Day At The Races' movie ', which included the release of two other painted popular songs of theirs: “Good Old-Fashioned an amaz- Lover Boy” and “Somebody To Love” in 1976. ing pic- By the 1980s, Queen had become a house- ture of hold name. Mercury knew how to work a who they stage, getting the audience involved while were and strutting in unique costumes and outfits! In what they 1985, Queen probably had one of their big- stood for. The Liberty Ledger GAMING Predictions

By: Dominic Fondetto

Its almost here, Summer is right around the corner, USD, 50 British Pounds, and and I still have a lot of article ideas to think of, so I 5,477.80 Japanese Yen. thought of combining 6 articles all into one big article, 5 reviews, 2 predictions for things. And we will My next prediction is that there start off with Predictions for PC 2 will be a new operating system by Microsoft for PC and PC 2 As we all know, PC is the called Windows 100, with more speed faster best way to play games than windows 10, no cortana, and an option such as Minecraft, Doom, to change the theme to any past windows Microsoft Flight Simulator, system to remind you of the good old days of and virtual reality games windows xp and windows 1.0, it is the best such as Half life alyx, Beat operating system money can buy, starting at saber, Job simulator, superhot VR, and Boneworks. the price of a kidney. But as PCs keep getting better and better, people have always wondered if there will be a sequel, so My thoughts on Portal here are my predictions for PC 2. In the year 2007 (the year I was born) a video game called Portal The first prediction is more was released to the masses on graphics, as PCs have steam, ps3, and xbox 360 as part evolved, graphics for PCs of a bundle called the orange box have gotten better and bet- featuring games like Half life 2, ter, however, sometimes it can be limited to 3 or 4 Half life 2: Episode 1, Half life 2: graphics cards, with PC 2, it will change the limit to Episode 2, Team Fortress 2, and Portal. Por- 10 graphics cards for more frames per tal is a game where you solve puzzles using second. portals, and as you progress, the puzzles get harder and harder. The second prediction is more storage, as we know, the best storage option to The game was made by store games and productivity, is tera- Valve, which is known for bytes, how ever, rumor has it that there Portal, Team Fortress 2, Half life, Portal 2, will be a new type of storage option that Dota 2, the PC platform Steam, and CS:GO. will beat terabytes and make it not exist, called quadroplebytes, with enough storage to store a The game also has its fair 5,000,000,000,000 page essay on why Shrek is the share of secrets and lore sur- best movie ever made and better than every single rounding the game which can modern animated movie, it can store more files and be really interesting to look games easily. into. There is even an achievement where you just The third prediction is have to carry radios to certain the long awaited Mine- locations to unlock the achievement called craft 2. Featuring “Transmission received.” There are only 26 graphics that look so radio locations. realistic it will even make you go “Wow, that My final thoughts on this game is that it is fun, is really impressive,” in a non sarcastic tone, and interesting, and really cool to play. I give this 1,000,000 times the detail for the low price of $50 game a 10/10, I would recommend. The Liberty Ledger UNDERTALE

By: Nathaniel Thomas

fore playing.

Gameplay The gameplay of Undertale is very unique. When you fight a monster, you play as a heart, which represents your soul. There are four things you can do while Undertale is a game created by Toby fighting. If you use the FIGHT button, you Fox and released on September 15, 2015. It is can deal damage to the enemy and on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Steam. It’s a eventually kill them. If you use the ACT but- 2D RPG similar to Earthbound where the play- ton, you can talk to the enemy or do some- er can battle monsters. However, they have thing that will help defeat them. If you use the choice to spare the monsters or to kill the ITEM button, you can get buffs like in- them. In Undertale, the player plays as a creased attack or health. If you use the child who has fallen into the Underground, a MERCY button you can spare the enemy or secluded region under the surface of Earth flee. However, sometimes the options where monsters live. There is a magical barri- won’t work. If you can’t spare the enemy, er that separates the Underground and sur- you can do certain things (usually those face and it prevents monsters from leav- things can be accessed by using the ACT ing. The player has to journey through the button) to be able to spare them. After Underground to get back to the surface, your turn, you will have to move around while making friends and enemies along the your soul to dodge the monster’s attacks. If way. you get hit, you’ll lose health. Overtime, the Plot monsters get stronger and their attacks be- Now, I would come more difficult to dodge, which gives usually put the players a challenge. the plot of a game in my Due to the options to kill or spare en- article, but emies, there are different endings based Undertale is on which ones you kill. There are three different. This types of endings, true pacifist, genocide, game is best and netural. True pacifist is where you don’t played with- kill anybody and befriend the monsters you out any prior fight. Genocide is where you kill every- knowledge of body. Neutral is where you kill some peo- it. Giving away more than what I did would ple, but spare others. However, the neutral ruin a lot of twists in the games. I don’t want ending also happens if you don’t befriend to say the opening cutscene because it all the monsters you fought. Even though wouldn’t make the experience as fun. In con- there are only three types of endings, there clusion, avoid anything Undertale related be- are multiple endings that fall under neutral. The Liberty Ledger

UNDERTALE … Continued By: Nathaniel Thomas

The endings are presented in the same way, kill or spare your enemy. Many games but they change depending on who you kill force you to kill those you fight. For me, it and who you spare. These different paths al- can get repetitive and uninteresting if you so have different bosses. Each of the paths just kill everybody you run into. It also pre- have a different final boss, and some paths vents you from learning about your ene- have the bosses take a new form or even in- mies because you can just kill them. In Un- troduce a new boss entirely. The genocide dertale, you can spare your enemies, path gives two existing bosses new transfor- which made the gameplay more interest- mations, and pacifist offers a new level. The ing for me because I had a choice. The game changes quite a lot depending on spare system of the game forces you to which path you take, so I recommend play- talk to the monsters you encounter if you ing all of them in no particular order. Howev- want to spare them, which allows you to er, I recommend saving genocide for last be- learn more about them. The ability to spare cause the final boss is very difficult. your enemies is something that makes Un- dertale special. Another important The choice between mercy and gameplay murder can also cause something that element is make Undertale unique. I’ve already men- interacting tioned it, but I’ll say it again, Undertale has with mon- numerous different endings. There are sters. Talking three types of endings depending on what with mon- choices you make, but there are about 24 sters, wheth- endings in total. There are 21 different neu- er you can tral endings, 2 different pacifist endings fight them or (though both are very similar) and 1 geno- not, can give cide ending. The endings of Undertale you a lot of make it very different from other games. information about the monsters themselves, Many games only have 1 ending that the Underground, or the controls of the can’t be changed. Even games with differ- game. Some monsters even give exposition, ent endings only have a few endings. Un- but those monsters are usually more im- dertale’s endings, which are based on the portant to the story, like boss monsters. The choice of the player, made me feel like my biggest benefit to interacting with monsters is decisions in the game matter. The 24 end- that some of them will sell items. These items ings make Undertale unique. can help you in combat by providing you buffs or healing you. Interacting with monsters The different endings also contribute is an important part of Undertale. to a strength of Undertale, its replayability. Undertale is a game you can replay many What Makes Undertale Special times. For some games, it might be boring Undertale is very different from many to play the same game again. However, other games. Though there are many things Undertale is a game that I was able to play in this game that make it unique, I will focus again without getting bored for two rea- on three. The first thing is one that I already sons. One reason is the multiple paths and mentioned, the fact that you can choose to endings. Changing the path you take can The Liberty Ledger

UNDERTALE … Continued By: Nathaniel Thomas present the player with new content, which others might can keep them interested and wanting to think that continue playing. The endings can motivate there are cas- players to continue playing, as they can see es where vio- a whole new ending. The second reason is lence is ac- that Undertale remembers. What I mean is ceptable, like that things you did in past playthroughs af- in self- fect your current playthrough. Specifically, it defense. I changes your interactions with monsters. For used to think this as well, but after playing example, if you befriend a monster in a previ- Undertale, I realize that violence should be ous playthrough, when you fight them again, avoided as much as possible. This change they might say how they remember you. If is mostly because I realized that everybody you kill a monster and fight it again, the mon- I killed were people with personalities, not ster might comment on how you like you’ve just random monsters. I realized this by talk- seen a ghost. These changes in interactions ing to them in my pacifist run. Though other make Undertale interesting and fun to replay. people might not agree with my conclu- Undertale has the option to spare enemies, sion, it’s undeniable that Undertale has different endings, and it’s fun to replay, which changed my opinions. Undertale has left a is why Undertale is special. lasting impression on me, and it might leave a lasting impression on others who Impact play it. Undertale is a game that has left a lasting impression on Conclusion me. Though Under- In short, Undertale is an amazing tale has impacted game. It has a plot with twists and turns me in many ways, and unique and challenging gameplay. I’ll focus on two. There are many aspects that make the First of all, I’ve game really unique, like the different end- grown attached to ings and the ability to spare your enemies. the characters in Undertale is a game that has left a big im- the game. Sans, pact on me, and it might leave an impres- Papyrus, Toriel, Undyne and many other char- sion on other people who play it. Undertale acters are amazing. These characters all is a great game, and I recommend it to have interesting personalities, and though everybody reading. you only interact with them for a short period of time, you get to know them really well. I think one of my favorite characters is Alphys. She’s shy and gets nervous around people, which can be relatable, and she also has a really intriguing backstory. Another impact is that it made me realize the problems with violence. This is something that is very unique about Undertale, as other games force you to kill people. Though some people might think that it’s obvious that violence is wrong, The Liberty Ledger Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion

By: Dominic Fondetto As video games get im- you should never do in real life and the prove, it somehow be- mayor tells you to do his chores since came the largest enter- you did such a horrible thing. tainment industry, larger than movies and tv It is an adventure shows, some games game that plays like even have cut scenes games like The Leg- that make it look like a end of Zelda: A link movie, however, no other to the Past, and game can be compared Minecraft even though it is 3D, but still to the game that is called “Turnip Boy an adventure game nonetheless. Commits Tax Evasion,” and yes, if you So what are my thoughts on this game? aren’t aware, this is a real game. Well, it is a pretty cool game, it's not the This game involves you best game of all time, but it has a little to play as the main pro- something for everyone. I will give this tagonist turnip boy who game a 8/10, I would recommend this committed something game. PORTAL II By: Dominic Fondetto In 2007, Portal was released The game also to the masses, and it sold adds the ability well, for more than 4,000,000 to play with a copies, including the Xbox friend or some- Live arcade version called one online via Portal: Still Alive, which is the Co-op, meaning same game of Portal except you can now with different levels. In 2011, solve puzzles together, which has a dif- Valve released a sequel ferent story than the single player cam- called Portal 2, selling over 4,000,000 paign. copies worldwide. This game is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Portal, this time So what are with new characters and a new story. my overall thoughts? In this game, you solve even more puz- Well, this zles that are either hard or really easy. game is proba- The game is also divided into 9 different bly one of the chapters, one being the name of an best games I ever played, so I will give achievement and a song in the original this game a 12/10, I would definitely soundtrack. recommend it. The Liberty Ledger HALF - LIFE By: Dominic Fondetto In the year 1998, a compa- ing Half Life 2: Episode 1, and Half Life 2: ny named Valve created a Episode 2. video game called Half Life, a game where you play as a Fourteen years later, the silent protagonist to stop an series got a new entry invasion from happening in called Half Life Alyx, a the laboratory where the in- VR return to the series, vasion took place. It then though it is not Half Life became one of the most well known shooters 3, it was a new entry in the series, and it in existence. won The Steam Award for Best VR Game. So here is my review for the game, it is a So why is this game important? Not fun, challenging, and awesome game, only does it introduce narrative to though you may have to solve some puz- shooting games, but it was also zles, it is what makes the game special. It Valve's first game and IP. The game was a huge leap forward for video games then got 3 entries by Gearbox software, with as a whole, and it was one of the most icon- the third one being exclusive to the ic video games to ever be made by hu- PlayStation 2, though eventually ported to the mans, and it was Valve's first game. PC unofficially. So why do I think it is important? It’s im- Valve then decided to hire two portant because without Half Life, we guys to invent the game known as wouldn’t have games such as Portal, Portal Counter Strike, which became its 2, and other story based games. That is own thing entirely. Valve then de- why I am giving the game a 13/10, would cided to make a sequel to Half Life called Half recommend. life 2, and then the sequel got 2 episodes, be- SHREK By: Dominic Fondetto

Shrek is a movie where we see In my opinion, Shrek is a the protagonist named Shrek go masterpiece, and you prob- on a crazy adventure with a talk- ably might already know ing Donkey to save the princess that. and then prevent her from marry- ing a small man. Shrek got really positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes It was supposed to be a parody of every sin- and it has become one of gle Disney movie ever made since those the cult classics and being movies got toys, video games, sequels one of the best movies ever (some being direct to video), and musicals, made by humans. So my but it then became one of those movies since rating for the movie is 20/10. I would recom- it got video games, toys, one musical, and 3 mend this movie. movies, since Shrek the third does not exist. The Liberty Ledger Predictions for 2022

By: Dominic Fondetto

So far 2021 is The second prediction going pretty is going to be the long well, we got awaited half life 3. Ex- games from perience the 3rd entry last decade in the half life series as and the dec- Gorden Freeman has ade before to stop an invasion that decade that were either delisted on from happening once more, and also stores or old games in general returning, being part of the 8 hour war, the sequel the COVID vaccine finally existing, and to the 7 hour war, starting at 40 dollars, more good stuff. But what would 2022 be 40 pounds, and 4,382.02 yen. like, here are some predictions that I am going to make that will or will not happen The last prediction is lower crime rates, The first prediction now as we all know, is that we will have crime is really bad, flying cars. During since it can cause the 2010s, people some really serious is- thought that in the sues in society, and future we will have other countries around the world, next flying cars, my year we will probably get lower crime guess is that in rates and most likely crime stopping in 2022, Tesla will probably make flying cars general, but until then, these are my 4 and then make it available to the masses predictions for 2022. for only $1200 and the lease for $32.