This week is a sort of optional content roundup stream. Since there is not much to describe here (BEAT found some landmarks), I asked Boog to talk about his contribution to our Skies of Arcadia stream, this excellent piece of fanart:
Click for full size
So I am handing writing duties over to Boog this week. Please enjoy his reminiscence of Skies of Arcadia.
Skies of Arcadia is a game that holds a special place in my heart. I spent a lot of time as a kid obsessing over advertising and discussion of JRPGs long before I could actually own and play one, and Skies’ fantastic visual polish and unique combat system quirks are an outstanding example of the genre. It has the energy of a half-forgotten anime you saw on public access TV as a kid, and I know very few fans of the story that aren’t 100% all-in on its plucky-pirates-fistfight-colonialism plot. So I was over the moon when the Ladz said they wanted art of themselves cribbing from some classic Skies illustration.
I put a lot of thought into what parts of the original art style I wanted to emulate; according to folks I’ve worked with I’ve got a heavy hand with my inks and my digital color work leans toward more heavily saturated, solid-looking vibes, so I knew the airy watercolors of the original weren’t happening on a reasonable turnaround.
Click for full size
I think the results suit Even Worse Streams pretty well though, the final piece has the energy of an enthusiastic bootleg toy package in a way I really like. “Come check out Even Worse Streams’ Guys of Beatcadia! We have” (checks note on hand), “… Veyes? Our shounen protag is bones now and fanboymaster’s having some issues but we promise it’s just as good as the original blue rogues!”
Sometime I do want to come back and study the original image more closely though, because I think that picture book feel is a lot of what keeps this game sticking with people. The focus on making the characters feel fleshed out and lived in, detailed rig and face animation being prioritized over higher res models, the named and specific super moves instead of variable builds like in other JRPGs. Things like that. By the end of the game you’re pretty attached to Fina, Aika and Vyse, and even after finishing the game for the first time over 20 years ago I still find myself looking at new playthoughs and wishing I got more of these three.
The game gives you plenty of time to spend with them though; completing the discovery list and unlocking all the bonus bosses is basically an excuse to turn over every couch cushion and rock in the setting to get more time with the world of Arcadia, and it really gets you in the mindset of an intrepid explorer. Is that spare scrap of geometry in the distance just background, or a hint at where you can find more Adventure? Maybe once you get close it’ll turn out to be an ancient idol, which unlocks another bounty when located. Maybe it’s a strange sky-creature and encountering it will result in another cool one-off ship battle. Maybe it’s just a triangle someone forgot to delete because this game is from 2002.
I can likely name 3-4 other streamers whose entire brand and presentation online is heavily inspired by this cult classic from the aughts, it’s one of those games that really sticks with you, and apparently with the devs as well; rumors have circulated about a sequel since its rerelease on the GameCube and have been revisited again as recently as 2020. Sega can’t seem to let go any more than the fans, dropping Vyse and company cameos into various Sonic the Hedgehog comics, Valkyria Chronicles and racing games, but I do wonder if part of its enduring legacy in the genre is specifically because it was a single, one-and-done story? In an age of publishers constantly chasing the market, can an enduring fanbase doom a series’ legacy to an eternity of Rambo/Rocky style sequels? If we finally get our wish and Sega makes that sequel, are we going to eventually have to see Vyse propped up like Robert Downey Jr., staring blankly from behind a Dr. Doom mask?
It’s been a blast to tag along with another wander through this classic, and I feel like the gang really showed off what’s fun and special about Skies. It was an absolute privilege to make something that brought more eyes to the stream, and I hope y’all have enjoyed the ride as much as I have. For folks interested in more of my work, you can find it at www.inkandrubbish.com and personal comms available at vgen.co/Boog. See you in the clouds!
Thanks again, Boog!
Let’s Play Skies of Arcadia
Night 9
October 21, 2025
Random Notes:
- Please enjoy a Skies of Arcadia stream where we acknowledge the actual game, like, twice. BEAT will be showcasing all these cool discoveries, and they will be ignored by Ample Vigour, fanboymaster, Morning Song, Caliscrub, Caithness, and Chromes.
- I steadfastly disagree with the assertion that we are the world’s oldest nerds simply because two of us remember The Bots Master. There must be dozens of people that recall Ziv “ZZ” Zulander.
- Persona! Final Fantasy! Boss Baby!
- We are showcasing our ADHD with HD DVD. Are you familiar with HD DVD Reddit? Mad Max? Waterworld? The modern Sony Walkman? There is a connection!
- “Even Worse Streams: All Pet Owners are Sociopaths.” “If it wasn’t true, I wouldn’t say it.”
Chromes perks up at mentions of Eddsworld. You never know what is going to get these kids’ attention…- “You can’t tell me that Mr. Beast is not in Hell already.”
- We delve into several The Parking Lot is Full comics. This also leads to detailed discussion on which webcomic authors have actually had sex.
- Apparently whether your parents encouraged you to play videogames determines if you are a nerd. That, and if your parents call you a nerd.
- Hey, this was the night Luigi’s Mansion was announced for Nintendo Switch 2. Ah, beloved memories of Gamecube rereleases.
- We technically close out the night with our personal Norbit stories…
- … And then this video picks back up with some footage from November 2 as BEAT and Chromes seek out the last few discoveries.
- This, naturally, leads to Dilbert discussion (Dilscussion).
- And fanboymaster joins, too. Let us never recall Evolution: The World of Sacred Device or Riviera: The Promised Land.
- “I’m normal.” “You don’t even believe that.”
- Alright, BEAT found every landmark he was gonna find, so that is the real end of the video. Keep rollin’, everybody!
Next flight on Skies of Arcadia: Sacrifices all around.
