The full volume of wizardry and witchcraft authored by Kathryn Paulsen presents a comprehensive exploration of the fascinating world of magic. This mesmerizing book delves into the techniques, history, and philosophies of both wizardry and witchcraft, providing a wealth of knowledge for both enthusiasts and practitioners. Paulsen's expertise in the subject matter shines through as she navigates through the intricacies of spellcasting, potion brewing, divination, and enchantments. She brings to light the various traditions and practices that have evolved over the centuries, offering a glimpse into the diversity of magical arts across different cultures. One of the standout features of this book is its emphasis on the ethical considerations and responsibilities that come with practicing magic. Paulsen explores the concept of "harm none," highlighting the importance of using magic for positive and beneficial purposes.
Almost everything in this game is done poorly, except the music - but twice while playing this title (the final, retail version, mind you) the sound effects and musical score cut out completely at the end of a match for no reason. Restarting the game is the only way to resurrect the audio. When you can actually hear the sound effects, you hear clangs of metal on metal, metal on wood, and metal and wood on flesh. Each character has his own theme (appropriately, Joxer's sounds like the entrance music for a dismal failure of a circus clown), and these are played over and over until the corresponding character is defeated.Audial effects aside, there is a discrepancy between the manual and the practice mode as to what the buttons are called. The manual divvies up the buttons as "left punch," "right punch," etc., while the game itself refers to them as "weak punch," "weak kick," etc. - and from there it gets worse. The game is three- dimensional, but jumping and crouching are handled by the R and Z buttons. The analog controller is used solely for moving the characters around the ring and unleashing special attacks, instead of the "block high/block low" convention. Why Saffire feels the need to strike out on its on in this regard is somewhat confusing. It's also possible to perform a Soul Calibur-style guard-impact technique, whereby you temporarily knock an opponent's weapons out of his hands. But this isn't covered in the manual and seems to happen more by accident than anything else. Throwing an opponent is next to impossible, and many of the characters' special moves (like Velasca's Tornado) take more than a full second to come out, making them easily interruptible and useless in actual combat.
All of the characters have combos that can be activated simply by jamming on a C button repeatedly, removing the need for skill when juggling an opponent. Multiplayer games are enjoyable, but if two or more characters team up on you, you have absolutely no chance of defending yourself successfully because your back is always exposed.
Paulsen explores the concept of "harm none," highlighting the importance of using magic for positive and beneficial purposes. This ethical framework adds a sense of depth and responsibility to the study of wizardry and witchcraft. In addition to exploring the practical aspects, Paulsen delves into the history and mythology surrounding magic.
Xena: Warrior Princess - The Talisman of Fate Review
This would probably make a decent party game for players who don't know how to do anything more than mash every button available, but fans of fighting games should stay far, far away.
By Doug Trueman on April 28, 2000 at 9:35PM PDT
Titus seems to be spending most of its money lately on licenses that will turn heads: Superman is no slouch of a name, and the company's new Xena title has come at a time when watching leather-clad women duke it out has never been bigger. But in both of these instances it seems that Titus is relying far too much on the reputations of its pop icons to sell copies when it should be focusing on creating solid gameplay, smooth animations, and responsive control schemes.
It seems that Xena and Despair (the Champion of Dahak) have both laid claim to the Talisman of Fate. Whoever controls it will have influence over all of mankind, so, naturally, Xena doesn't want it to fall into the wrong hands. A battle ensues, but the Fates themselves intervene, deciding that the only way to settle the dispute is to hold a tournament with earth's greatest heroes and villains as competitors (how Joxer managed to get himself invited is beyond me). Up to four gamers can play, and each player controls one of the many characters from the show (Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, Ares, Hope, Callisto, Autolycus, etc.) and tries to beat everyone else's brains in with punches, kicks, and various special moves. Xena has her sword, the Chakram, and a torch that lets her breathe fire; Gabrielle has her staff, some extravagant kicks, and a Dhalsim-type meditation-into-projectile attack. The game is 3D, it supports four players, and it showcases a hot commodity. So why the bad score? It's hard to know where to begin.
Almost everything in this game is done poorly, except the music - but twice while playing this title (the final, retail version, mind you) the sound effects and musical score cut out completely at the end of a match for no reason. Restarting the game is the only way to resurrect the audio. When you can actually hear the sound effects, you hear clangs of metal on metal, metal on wood, and metal and wood on flesh. Each character has his own theme (appropriately, Joxer's sounds like the entrance music for a dismal failure of a circus clown), and these are played over and over until the corresponding character is defeated.Audial effects aside, there is a discrepancy between the manual and the practice mode as to what the buttons are called. The manual divvies up the buttons as "left punch," "right punch," etc., while the game itself refers to them as "weak punch," "weak kick," etc. - and from there it gets worse. The game is three- dimensional, but jumping and crouching are handled by the R and Z buttons. The analog controller is used solely for moving the characters around the ring and unleashing special attacks, instead of the "block high/block low" convention. Why Saffire feels the need to strike out on its on in this regard is somewhat confusing. It's also possible to perform a Soul Calibur-style guard-impact technique, whereby you temporarily knock an opponent's weapons out of his hands. But this isn't covered in the manual and seems to happen more by accident than anything else. Throwing an opponent is next to impossible, and many of the characters' special moves (like Velasca's Tornado) take more than a full second to come out, making them easily interruptible and useless in actual combat.
All of the characters have combos that can be activated simply by jamming on a C button repeatedly, removing the need for skill when juggling an opponent. In fact, it's possible to defeat the one-player game on its default setting just by pressing the down C button over and over. Collision detection is atrocious; characters miss each other by miles even though they're standing right next to each another one minute and then footsweeping airborne opponents the next. The animation is equally awful: When fighters perform handsprings to get back on their feet their hands aren't anywhere near the ground. Jumping animations are stilted and jerky, and almost all of the characters can perform attacks infinitely without any fear of reprisal.
Aside from the character animations, the visuals are moderately appealing. The camera zooms in and out gracefully as characters negotiate the distance between each other in the ring, and the close-up textures of combatants leave no doubt in your mind that you're looking at characters based on Lucy Lawless, Renee O'Conner, and Ted Raimi. The backgrounds are well-drawn collections of temples, town squares, and dungeons, and they feature plain touches such as plants, fallen stone pillars, marble floors, flickering torches, and Persian rugs.
Multiplayer games are enjoyable, but if two or more characters team up on you, you have absolutely no chance of defending yourself successfully because your back is always exposed. Defeating the computer on the hard setting is next to impossible because the two CPU characters will attack relentlessly until you're destroyed, leaving you no chance to launch a strategic assault of your own. This would probably make a decent party game for players who don't know how to do anything more than mash every button available, but fans of fighting games should stay far, far away.
Titus seems to be spending most of its money lately on licenses that will turn heads: Superman is no slouch of a name, and the company's new Xena title has come at a time when watching leather-clad women duke it out has never been bigger. But in both of these instances it seems that Titus is relying far too much on the reputations of its pop icons to sell copies when it should be focusing on creating solid gameplay, smooth animations, and responsive control schemes.
She examines ancient texts, folklore, and historical accounts to provide a rich contextual understanding of the origins and evolution of magical practices. By intertwining history with practical application, Paulsen creates a well-rounded exploration of the subject matter. Moreover, the book offers a comprehensive guide to magical tools, ingredients, and rituals. From wands and cauldrons to herbs and crystals, Paulsen provides detailed explanations on how these elements can be incorporated into magical practices. She offers step-by-step instructions for various spells and rituals, enabling readers to embark on their own magical journey. Overall, The full volume of wizardry and witchcraft authored by Kathryn Paulsen is a captivating and educational resource for anyone interested in the realm of magic. It combines practical advice with historical context, ethical considerations, and an exploration of magical traditions across cultures. This book is a must-read for aspiring witches and wizards, as well as anyone curious about the mystical and enchanting world of magic..
Reviews for "An Alchemy of Words: The Magical Writings of Kathryn Paulsen on Wizardry and Witchcraft"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "The full volume of wizardry and witchcraft" because I'm a huge fan of the genre. However, I found the book to be quite disappointing. The writing style was very dry and monotonous, making it difficult for me to stay engaged in the story. Additionally, I felt like the plot was lacking depth and originality. It felt like I was reading a generic fantasy novel with nothing new to offer. Overall, I was let down by this book and wouldn't recommend it to fellow fans of the genre.
2. John - 1/5 stars - "The full volume of wizardry and witchcraft" by Kathryn Paulsen was a complete waste of time for me. The characters were poorly developed and lacked any real personality or depth. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself not caring about their fates. The dialogue was also incredibly cliché and felt forced. The plot was predictable and lacked any surprises or twists. I was hoping for a captivating and immersive read, but unfortunately, this book fell short on all fronts.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I struggled to get through "The full volume of wizardry and witchcraft" as the pacing of the story was incredibly slow. It took forever for anything significant to happen, and even then, it felt underwhelming. The world-building was also lacking, with very little explanation of the magical elements and how the wizardry and witchcraft worked. I wanted to be transported to a captivating and enchanting world, but instead, I found myself bored and uninterested. Overall, this book just wasn't for me and I wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a thrilling magical adventure.
4. Michael - 2/5 stars - "The full volume of wizardry and witchcraft" had a great potential, but it fell flat for me. The writing style was overly descriptive to the point where it became tedious to read. The excessive details made it difficult for me to visualize the scenes and connect with the story. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and development, making it hard for me to care about their journey. The plot had some interesting moments, but they were overshadowed by the slow pacing and dull writing. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.