Edgar Allan Poe symbolizes the Baltimore Ravens as their mascot. The Baltimore Ravens, a professional football team in the NFL, chose Edgar Allan Poe as their unofficial mascot due to his connection to the city of Baltimore. Poe, a celebrated American writer and poet, spent a significant portion of his life in Baltimore and is buried there. The choice of Poe as their mascot speaks to the team's desire to honor the city's rich literary history and pay homage to one of its most famous residents. Poe's association with the Ravens stems from his famous poem, "The Raven," which was published in 1845. The poem tells the story of a man who is visited by a talking raven in the aftermath of a lost love.
Where Asterigos: Curse of the Stars excels in is combat, generally the meat and potatoes of any action game. Hilda can choose from various weapon types, each with its own attack combo, special move, skills, and perks. For instance, the sword and shield equipment lets you block attacks, and you can even pretend to be Captain America by throwing your shield. The spear, meanwhile, has a special move that parries hits, as well as a Scorpion-like “Get over here!” ability. You’ve also got the hammer’s brutal-but-slow smashes and magical bracelets.
The narrative, which could be as simple or fantastical as a developer wants it to be, has no time to breathe, as the player gets bombarded by concepts and ideas that are hard to follow. Enemies can absolutely overpower Hilda if left unchecked, and though most of the baddies I encountered could be dispatched with some hack-and-slash maneuvers, the harder foes required the dodge rolling and parry blocking that I am accustomed to.
The poem tells the story of a man who is visited by a talking raven in the aftermath of a lost love. The raven repeatedly utters the word "nevermore," representing the speaker's descent into madness. The use of the raven as a symbol in the poem is seen as a perfect match for the Baltimore Ravens team.
Asterigos Curse of the Stars
Asterigos: Curse of the Stars is a game composed of two different genres and not fully committing to either. Doing so makes it not reach the potential I think the game could have had by sticking to simply one. Still, with fun combat and an explorative world, it is a solid experience. One that many gamers will be satisfied with but forget after the holiday season. Read full review
Wccftech
6.5 / 10.0Asterigos: Curse of the Stars had the potential of being one of the most exciting action role-playing games influenced by the Souls series, with its ancient Greek and Roman influences, cartoonish art style, unique approach to story choices, and a more gamey approach to combat and character customization, but it falls a little flat due to the bad level design that damages the entire experience. If one can look past this significant issue, however, one will find a decent enough game with an acceptable story and serviceable combat with some interesting twists. Read full review
COGconnected
72 / 100Asterigos: Curse of the Stars is a great entry point to Soulslike games. Its accessible combat, difficulty options and pleasant atmosphere will entice many to the game. However, the unintuitive level design and lack of a detailed map can cause frustration and result in you aimlessly roaming the grounds. Although it may not do enough to appeal to veterans, those interested in dipping their toes into the genre should start here. Read full review
ZTGD
6 / 10.0Asterigos is a weird game in that it feels like it was so close to being excellent. The weird mix of mechanics do not gel well and parts of the game simply feel unfinished. Still it is a fun romp that could get much better with some patches and tweaks. I think the team behind it did a great job for their first game and hope they continue to get chances to make more. There are good ideas and characters here, it just feels like it needed more time or a bigger budget to reach their vision. Read full review
PC Invasion
8 / 10While there are some notable flaws and shortcomings, Asterigos: Curse of the Stars does manage to entertain and provide the necessary thrills. Read full review
Gaming Nexus
8.5 / 10.0Very few indie games have quantity and quality that can match those of triple A titles, but Asterigos: Curse of the Stars definitely makes the cut. This is an outstanding first project from Acme Gamestudio and I can't wait to see what's next for them. What you'll find here is a polished narrative-driven Souls-like adventure held back only by some frustrating design choices. Read full review
If you’ve been following our reviews and guides here on PC Invasion, you’ll know that I tend to focus on Souls-like/Soulsborne games. It comes as no surprise that I’ve grown rather impatient with regards to the genre’s use of cryptic clues and whatnot as a worldbuilding crutch. Granted, I don’t like it when games hold your hand as if you’re being read a book, but I also don’t want a ton of nonsensical babble thrown my way in a short span of time.
In addition to the connection with Poe's literary work, the choice of the raven as the team's mascot also ties into the rich mythology and symbolism surrounding the bird. Ravens have long been associated with intelligence, cunning, and mystery in various cultures and mythologies. These qualities align with the traits that the team aspires to embody on the football field. The Baltimore Ravens organization embraces the legacy of Poe, incorporating his image into their branding and merchandise. The team's logo features a menacing raven with its wings outstretched, ready for action. It captures the spirit of the team and its fierce determination to succeed. The use of Edgar Allan Poe as the unofficial mascot of the Baltimore Ravens not only pays tribute to the city's literary heritage but also adds an intriguing layer of mystique to the team's identity. It sets them apart from other teams in the league and creates a unique and captivating narrative that resonates with fans and non-fans alike. In conclusion, Edgar Allan Poe symbolizes the Baltimore Ravens as their mascot due to his connection to the city and his famous poem, "The Raven." The choice of Poe as a mascot pays homage to Baltimore's literary history and adds an element of mystery and intrigue to the team's identity. By embracing the legacy of one of America's most famous writers, the Baltimore Ravens have created a distinctive and captivating symbol for their organization..
Reviews for "Edgar Allan Poe and the Baltimore Ravens: A Match Made in Gothic Heaven"
1. Jane Doe - 2 stars - As a fan of Edgar Allan Poe's works, I was excited to visit the Baltimore Ravens stadium, but I was disappointed with their choice of mascot. I understand the connection between Poe's life in Baltimore and the team, but I feel like it diminishes the importance of his literary contributions. A football team should have a mascot that represents athleticism and strength, not a writer known for his dark and gothic writings. It just doesn't make sense to me and takes away from the overall team spirit.
2. John Smith - 1 star - The decision to have Edgar Allan Poe as the mascot for the Baltimore Ravens is just absurd. It feels like a desperate attempt to create a unique identity for the team, but it falls flat. Poe's association with death and darkness doesn't match the energy and excitement of a football game. It's almost like they are trying to make the team seem more intellectual or mysterious, but it just comes across as pretentious. I would have preferred a more traditional and relatable mascot that represents the spirit of the city and its sports culture.
3. Sarah Johnson - 2 stars - While I appreciate the historical connection between Edgar Allan Poe and Baltimore, I think using him as the mascot for the Ravens is a missed opportunity. Poe was an enigmatic figure, known for his haunting tales and macabre themes. However, a football team's mascot should embody enthusiasm, strength, and unity, which doesn't align with Poe's persona. It feels forced and contrived, lacking a genuine connection to the team. I would have preferred a mascot that ignites team spirit and resonates with fans on a deeper level.