This Mortal Coyle
A simple cute smiley face on a field of white, made up of two dots and a squiggle that looks like a sideways "3."

Purrcy from Mystic Mansion

I find myself thinking about how Purrcy fits into the kawaii template of vulnerability and harmlessness. Purrcy does have these visual signifiers. I do want to help him. I am also terrified of him.

This Mortal Coyle
The character known as Gothic Writer from the mobile game Game of Vampires: Twilight Sun, sporting two neat braids and carrying a notebook.

The Gothic Writer from Game of Vampires

Do I love this game, or do I hate it? Am I being a downer because of latent mobile game snobbery?

This Mortal Coyle
The Lyktgubbe from Bramble: The Mountain King, holding a glowing lantern, stoops to talk to a small figure in a dense forest awash with flowers.

The Lyktgubbe from Bramble: The Mountain King

My adult brain feels desperate to chase after lights in the forest, lights I haven’t seen in some time. As a child, I knew better.

This Mortal Coyle
Fia, a character from Elden Ring, sits on a bed in a dramatic black hooded robe.

Goth Femmes of Elden Ring

Ranking Elden Ring’s goth femmes from “least” to “most” goth.

This Mortal Coyle
A close-up of Andreja from Starfield, looking suitably goth with black hair, downturned eyes and a soft, elegant expression. She poses behind a spiky metal structure that gives the impression of dead tree branches.

I Married My Goth GF in Starfield but I Feel Nothing

Starfield is Bethesda’s biggest game to date. More to explore, more dialogue options, more NPCs. So why don’t I feel attached to any of the characters?

This Mortal Coyle

Hammer Horror Nightgown Ranking

It’s easy to get lost in the aesthetic pleasures of Hammer’s smooching Draculas and bangin’ 1970s haircuts on 19th century characters; you might gloss over the more ethereal wardrobe choices.

This Mortal Coyle
KJ from Life After Magic, a cool-looking person with a punky bleach-blond haircut (replete with purple streak) a great 'fit, and excellent tattoos. They intimidate me.

KJ from Life After Magic

“There’s a bunch of different subcultures under the punk and goth umbrellas. Doesn’t always have to be about wearing black and being angry.”

This Mortal Coyle
Elora the faun from Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage. She has her head turned upside down as if she's addressing someone lying on the ground; she wears a dress made of leafy foliage and bears a striking resemblance to a red fox.

Elora the Faun from Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage

“I’m a faun, you dork!”

This Mortal Coyle
A screencap from Skyrim shows Serana and the player character having a nighttime walk along a snowy path.

Skyrim and Existential Angst Redux

Why can’t I marry Serana? I would like to take this up with Todd Howard personally.

This Mortal Coyle

Get Her What She Really Wants for Valentine’s Day and Avoid the Wrath of the Ancient Ones

A holiday gift guide that just might save your skin.