Believing in holiday magic is a sentiment that many people hold dear during the festive season. It is a belief in the extraordinary, the enchanting and the miraculous that seems to permeate the air during this time of year. While some may dismiss it as mere fantasy, others wholeheartedly embrace the idea that there is something truly special about the holiday season. One of the main aspects of believing in holiday magic is the belief in Santa Claus. Many children grow up with the idea that a jolly old man in a red suit travels around the world in one night, delivering presents to every well-behaved child. This belief is not only cherished by children, but also by many adults who revel in the joy of keeping the spirit of Santa Claus alive.
Jinx the Lonely Ghost searches for a costume and belonging, while Momo defends Magic Cat Academy; the Google Doodles are connected, but some details are unclear, and the Halloween 2018 doodle is the first multiplayer game.
Momo the cat rescues her magic school from mischievous spirits in the 2016 Google doodle game, with interesting lore, brutal death animations, and the connection between the game and previous doodles. Momo the cat officiates a game in the Halloween 2020 Google Doodle, which is a sequel to Magic Cat Academy, featuring boss battles, new spells, and the ability of ghosts to possess animals and objects, while the video discusses the mysteries surrounding Spirit Flames and speculates on the connection between ghosts and witches.
This belief is not only cherished by children, but also by many adults who revel in the joy of keeping the spirit of Santa Claus alive. For some, believing in holiday magic means embracing the wonder of decorations and lights. The sight of streets and houses adorned with twinkling lights, glistening ornaments and vibrant wreaths can bring a sense of awe and joy.
Momo The Mage Is Back
A Halloween Game From Google
Happy Halloween folks! 'Tis the season to break out all those classic survival horror series, right? A little Silent Hill here, a bit of Resident Evil there, maybe something a bit more obscure like ZombieU if you feel like dusting off the WiiU. There’s always a plethora of strong titles ready and ripe for playing with the lights off while you scarf down fun size Snickers and KitKats.
If you’re feeling the weight of 2020 however, it’s understandable if you could use something a little more light-hearted. With election day just a few days away and the current uptick in COVID cases, maybe your nerves are a bit to shocked for hardcore spooks. I’ll admit, something about playing a zombie apocalypse game during a literal pandemic is just a bit too much for me.
Just click on your google browser and jump right in!
Thankfully, if you’re in the need for something that’s a bit more treat than trick (or you’re just killing time before Animal Crossing’s Halloween festivities tonight), today’s Google Doodle is a sequel to their 2016 Halloween game!
Welcome To Magic Cat Academy!
Ok, I’ll admit, I might be biased in my love of this game. You play as a little black cat named Momo, who is a mage. Given the fact that I have a black cat who is named after the black mage from Final Fantasy IX, I squealed the first time I saw this particular Google Doodle. Still, after my initial cat-mom geek-out was over, I found this little Halloween game to be fun and rather addicting!
Momo is a student of the Magic Cat Academy, and the game begins when some mischievous ghosts break into the school and steal the master spellbook. Momo must make her way through the five levels of the school to defeat the army of ghosts and get the book back. Gameplay is simple - using the touchscreen of your particular device, simply draw the symbols over the head of each ghost to vanquish them. You want to take them out before the ghosts touch Momo, or she’ll take damage. Once her five hearts run out, it’s game over.
It’s a simple enough premise, but as the game progresses, the ghosts will have more complex symbols over the head, as well as move at different speeds. It challenges the player to pay attention to these patterns as they appear, in order to take them out as quickly as possible. Honing in on the patterns and drawing the right symbols at the right time will allow you to take over several ghosts at once, or knock out multiple symbols on several ghosts, in order to get rid of them faster. There’s also a lightning bolt special move that pops up which is worth take advantage of, as it will land a hit on each enemy.
Requiring astute attention and quick reflexes, it delivers that old school feeling of depleting your quarters in an arcade to get to the next level - except it’s a free mini game that's here just in time for everyone being stuck inside during what should be an awesome holiday.
The 2020 installment picks up right where the 2016 game left off - the big bad ghost that Momo defeated falls onto a boat and plunges into the sea. Deep down into the water they go, along with all of the ghost minions. Momo sees this and literally dives into action, with one of her friends casting a magic bubble around her so she can breathe until the water. These dastardly little ghouls are possessing the fish and making them evil! It’s up to Momo to free them, and help the captain of the boat, whose ship just sank!
The gameplay is the same, but it does up the ante a bit on difficulty. The last boss was particularly tricky! However, this second installment of the Magic Cat Academy presents five more levels of wand-waving, magic casting action. There’s also a new special move - when a jellyfish with a circle pops up, drawn the circle and it will give you shield, protecting against damage.
A Very Welcome Halloween Treat
This Halloween certainly wasn’t what we expected when 2020 began, but it’s nice that Google put out a sugary, sweet treat for us today. If you’re game, break out your smartphone or tablet, and help Momo stop those ghosts!
Here’s the 2016 edition, with a bit of background on the development of the game (as well as the real Momo, a black cat belonging to one of the artists, who served as a muse!). When you’re ready for part 2, click here!
Shanna Wynn-Shirreffs
Writer
Shanna’s cat is named after a Final Fantasy character. He is a tiny furry black mage named Vivi. That’s all you need to know. Ok, there’s more. A self-proclaimed “pop culture anthropology nerd,” Shanna’s had a love affair with video games her entire life. In college, she put her passion for gaming and feminism towards her degree in Mass Communication, focusing her senior thesis on women & video games. She digs dipping her toes into the tabletop world as well. From RPGs and open world epics to old school beat-em-ups and farm simulators, games rock her world.
Shanna’s cat is named after a Final Fantasy character. He is a tiny furry black mage named Vivi. That’s all you need to know. Ok, there’s more. A self-proclaimed “pop culture anthropology nerd,” Shanna’s had a love affair with video games her entire life. In college, she put her passion for gaming and feminism towards her degree in Mass Communication, focusing her senior thesis on women & video games. She digs dipping her toes into the tabletop world as well. From RPGs and open world epics to old school beat-em-ups and farm simulators, games rock her world.
Summarize any YouTube video by yourself
The effort and creativity put into decorating for the holidays can truly create a magical atmosphere that fills people with a sense of wonder and delight. Additionally, believing in holiday magic can extend to the belief in miracles. Many people see the holiday season as a time when anything is possible, a time when dreams can come true. It is a time when people are more open to kindness, generosity and goodwill towards others. This belief in miracles and the power of love and compassion can inspire individuals to help those in need and make a positive difference in the world. Furthermore, believing in holiday magic can also mean believing in the power of traditions and rituals. Families and communities often have special traditions and activities that they engage in during the holiday season. These rituals not only serve as a way to bond with loved ones, but also as a way to create lasting memories and experiences. The belief in the magic of these traditions can bring a sense of nostalgia and warmth to the holiday season. In conclusion, believing in holiday magic is a belief in the extraordinary and the enchanting that seems to surround the festive season. Whether it is the belief in Santa Claus, the wonder of decorations, the belief in miracles, or the power of traditions and rituals, holding onto this belief can bring joy and excitement to the holiday season. It is a belief that reminds us to embrace the magic that can be found in the simple joys of the season and to approach life with an open heart and a sense of wonder..
Reviews for "Creating Lasting Holiday Magic: How to Make the Season Memorable"
1. Jane - 2/5 - I was really excited to watch "Believe in Holiday Magic" because I love holiday movies, but I was extremely disappointed. The storyline was predictable and unoriginal, and the acting was mediocre at best. I found myself rolling my eyes throughout most of the movie because of the cheesy dialogue and forced romantic moments. Additionally, the pacing was off, with some scenes dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, I was not impressed with "Believe in Holiday Magic" and I would not recommend it to others.
2. Mike - 3/5 - While "Believe in Holiday Magic" had its moments, it ultimately fell short of my expectations. The plot was thin and lacked depth, leaving me feeling uninvested in the characters and their story. The production value also seemed low, with poorly executed special effects and a low-budget feel to the set design. I did appreciate some of the heartwarming moments sprinkled throughout the film, but they were overshadowed by the overall lackluster execution. For those looking for a truly magical holiday movie experience, I would suggest looking elsewhere.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - "Believe in Holiday Magic" was a disappointing film. The acting was incredibly wooden and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The characters lacked depth and I found it difficult to connect with any of them. Additionally, the plot was extremely predictable and offered no surprises or twists. There was also a lack of chemistry between the lead actors, making the romantic subplot feel forced and unconvincing. Overall, this movie failed to capture the holiday magic it promised and I would not recommend wasting your time on it.