SleepingSilence

What Are You Listening To?

Caught this one just before I went to bed.

open.spotify.com/track/3jfHclM5oNBSUv…

Switchfoot just released another song from their album on Spotify & it's a delight.

Video Game Discussion: Part IV (The Gaming Industry in Decay Arc)

Double post to keep the thread alive.

Idols Of Ash is a perfect bite-sized climbing game. It's grappling hook is utilized better than most games that have them & the thing that chases you is legitimately creepy as fuck. So it earns a solid recommendation for 3 measly dollary-doos. Hard to score a game w. an hour runtime. But it's at least a strong 7 (an 8/10 dare I say) in terms of doing what it needs to right.

Tried REPO public lobbies & it was a decent time. Once you get past all the cheaters. ^-^'

And Peak is more fun w. a group than I expected it to be. (I guess Aggrocrab has already proven than it can make a fun game with Another Crab's Treasure.) But it also feels like it earns "friendslop" as a title. Because the character's stamina bar is pathetic & the snowball effect of "mess up once and you're probably screwed" is probably not great for solo play?

A certain friend of mine made me buy "Across The Obelisk" on sale & it's alright. But it's incredibly slow paced & the amount of DLC is fucking absurd/borderline predatory. (It's very reminiscent of Talisman.) So I couldn't possibly tell someone to buy it full price. When Slay The Spire already exists.

I'm tentatively waiting for Mina The Hollower to come out. Just because I need another good Zelda-like in my life. But I'm not in love with Shovel Knight & how that controlled. So we'll see if this "bet it all on this game or go bankrupt" was a solid strategy for this development team...

What Are You Listening To?

Listening to this album loudly.

Pendulum's - Inertia

Video Game Discussion: Part IV (The Gaming Industry in Decay Arc)

Creature Kitchen was a nice cozy time. And who wouldn't want to sit around a cozy campfire full of cryptids? 7/10

And Pragmata was a really solid experience. I reached the end credits last night. (Now I have to decide if I want to do the optional challenges to get "The True Ending".) But regardless of all the optional "Super Mario Kazio"-esque challenges that I may or may not complete. I think this game secured an easy spot in my top games of the current year. Since most of my critiques are purely in the nitpick category.

Although, I do think even a few narrative changes could've made the story less predictable/the spectacle ending hit harder. 8.5/10 (Maybe up to a weak 9. If I play through the borderline impossible/hard ass optional challenges to see its good ending. Though I usually really don't like when games pull that shit. The gameplay is good enough to warrant me giving it a college try.)

Edit 1: Actually the "Signal Unknown" challenges were a surprisingly easy and rewarding set of challenges that would (in theory) help you toward New Game Plus. But the (revamped) final boss is not enjoyable to fight & the "alternative ending" is a ten second sound clip. So no that did not improve the score.

Easily the best part of another fuck awful month this year.

And next up is another cozy game on PC & another difficult experience via PS5. Rekindled Trails & Armored Core 6. (The more things change, Etcetera. Etcetera.)

Edit 2: Well Dweller was an interesting demo. Very striking visually. (The other demo I meant to try, I was almost instantly turned off by how inconsistent the wall jumping was.)

But on a less positive note, Sony ain't getting another cent outta me until the online DRM policy fucks off. ("It's for people who abuse our refund policy." Translation = "Ha. Refund Policy. We barely even have one of those.")

I honestly assume the DRM attempt is going full Xbox. In that they hope to get credit/positive news coverage about reversing the fuck awful decision(s) that you just recently made. But maybe even that's being too optimistic.

Final edit: Rekindled Trails is dull as dishwater. But also annoying in how tediously its "quests" are designed. And Armored Core 6's Balteus and the entire mission can go fuck itself with a rusty tin. I'm not grinding any more just to continue this rock, paper, scissors, shotgun ass encounter design.

Video Game Discussion: Part IV (The Gaming Industry in Decay Arc)

Back home from pet-sitting. Huzzah. (I have 100%'d Death's Door and feel nothing.)

I guess Capcom has been on a roll for crowd pleasers lately. Friend of mine enjoyed RE:9, another is enjoying Monster Hunter Stories 3, and (after online buzz & a demo later.) I'm enjoying Pragmata. I can say the combat experience feels different in a positive way. And I think it's doing a lot of things pretty well thus far. (Though the non-traversy feels artificial.)

I have minor gripes. (But most of those have positive stipulations.) So it's just a solid shooter with solid mechanics. With better character interactions than most modern games. (As none of the character dialogue makes me want to mute the sound/nuke the writers.)

A pleasant surprise for sure.

I also downloaded another interesting-looking demo and played a chunk of "Creature Kitchen", which has been an enjoyable puzzle game. So I certainly have more to play.

Ban the User Above You

Banned for oats, dog racism, existing, witchcraft, and rudeness.

Your Current Mood in One GIF

What Are You Listening To?

If I'm being honest. I've listened to this OP/the full song multiple times a day for the past few of 'em.

Video Game Discussion: Part IV (The Gaming Industry in Decay Arc)

Had a board game night at my friend's house, and it was a really nice time. Played a lot of card games, board games, dice games, Jackbox.TV, and various other sh*t on my account. (Through gameshare.) Been a while since I've had time to sit down and have fun.

And my friend gave me his copy of Armored Core 6. So that'll be something to look forward to.

But I'm replaying Death's Door again for no f*cking reason. Certainly not the same as playing Tunic again. (I guess because I never got to experience the "true final boss". Because of the game crashing on me during the credits.) Reminded of the bright spots/best parts being the boss fights. (With the frog especially.) And the endless enemy gauntlets being a real pain in the ass.

I have a couple more games that I might get to first on PC. (Simply because I expect to be able to get through them faster than Mecha-Souls.) And maybe I'll be able to post a review or something.

What's everyone else been playing this week?

.........

Firstly, the problem with oversharing on the internet. Is no matter how anonymous you *want* to stay. You probably *could* be found based on the info you give. So fair (albeit obvious) warning there.

And there's only ever really two (positive) ways these things can go. 1. Letting you know that you're not alone & that other people are going through similar things to you. Then maybe it would help you to find those people and share your stories. (Go to therapy.) Or 2. Understanding perspective. (Finding solutions to said problems.)

Sounds like you have a stable job / income.

You have a family around you to take care of. And ones who allow you to stay under their roof.

You've had relationships before. (Even bad experiences give you experience at least. You even seem to understand your own personal flaws that might've effected them. So as long as you learn from it...)

You went to/afforded college.

About 18% percent of the US has been diagnosed with depression. So about 62 million people. (Though that varies and might not really be accurate.)

I'd strongly consider not distancing yourself from family or friends solely on their political and religious beliefs. (Unless it's specifically alienating you/forcing you to participate.) Because there's a lot more to life than that.

And not to give cheesy advice. But if you don't feel like there's any *one* or *specific* thing(s) that would suddenly make life better (if changed). I'd start going to the gym and working out. And if you can't afford that, going for daily walks outside. (That, and decompressing by turning off social media & your phone for a period of time. (Hours/Days) If you're particularly addicted to that.) Some sun and some exercise can do the body and mind some good.

- Fellow diagnosed depressed person (whose much better than he used to be.)