BailerAppleby's recent activity
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Comment on Save Point: A game deal roundup for the week of June 14 in ~games
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Comment on Mighty Cuphead Adventure | Teaser trailer in ~games
BailerAppleby Link Parent"Hand-drawn" is what people normally say, people like you and OP. "Drawn by hands" is what the video awkwardly shoehorns in with a wink. I bet you the hot new marketing thing will be to play up...hand-drawn animation
"Hand-drawn" is what people normally say, people like you and OP. "Drawn by hands" is what the video awkwardly shoehorns in with a wink.
I bet you the hot new marketing thing will be to play up the hands on/human aspect of making video games: "artisanal", "coffee-powered", "labor of love and worth it". Maybe AI will make it back into the hearts and minds of consumers, but that will be for the next generation of kids once we can get through the uncanny valley.
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Comment on Mighty Cuphead Adventure | Teaser trailer in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentI think we can interpret this to be a slight dig at AI, especially considering that the in-video host specifically uses the awkwardly phrased term "drawn by hands". It also explains why this game...hand-drawn
I think we can interpret this to be a slight dig at AI, especially considering that the in-video host specifically uses the awkwardly phrased term "drawn by hands". It also explains why this game will take a long time to make, just like its predecessor, something that a ravenous consumer base fails to understand (but are more readily willing to accept an enhanced "drawn by machines" alternative).
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Comment on Resident Evil Veronica announced for 2027 in ~games
BailerAppleby Link Parentiirc the effect of keeping the enemy aloft in the air with bullets was a bug. The dev team loved it so much the kept it in, and that game would go on to become DMC.iirc the effect of keeping the enemy aloft in the air with bullets was a bug. The dev team loved it so much the kept it in, and that game would go on to become DMC.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BailerAppleby (edited )LinkRetired Men's Nude Beach Volleyball A "hidden gem" is an overused trope by gamers looking to find the missing unicorn of an amazing, unique gameplay experience they've never experienced before....Retired Men's Nude Beach Volleyball
A "hidden gem" is an overused trope by gamers looking to find the missing unicorn of an amazing, unique gameplay experience they've never experienced before. Friends, that trope has manifested itself with Retired Men's Nude Beach Volleyball, a point made invariably true by the simple fact that this hidden game does not want to be discovered.
This game contains many red flags that many gamers are sure to stay clear of:
- Long, jokey title
- Terrible graphics
- Terrible gameplay
- Terrible controls
- Homosexual overtones
- Penises
From the screenshots alone, you can already hear the complaints: "virtually unplayable", "looks like a PS1 game", "gay". It's received a review score of 4.5/10. But these "warning signs" are all there by design, and if you are able to get past them, and are patient enough, you may discover a game that nicely subverts all any expectations you had for it. Just as you can't judge a book by its cover, you're most liable to find a hidden gen when you're not looking for it.
If you are looking to challenge yourself with a unique gaming experience, don't read any further and go play it for yourself. It's on Steam or, if you're registered to Humble Bundle as so many of us are for this month, you can play it for free in the Humble Vault. It's also relatively short, about three hours. At some point, you'll be wondering to yourself why you are doing this. Just do your best to be open and try to see beyond the game as you're playing.
Important Note: Despite what the title says, there is NO frontal nudity in this game. None. You'll see pixelated representations of old naked men, but no hang dong to hang you up. If you don't believe me, take it from this review from Christ Centered Gamer who gave it a nearly perfect score for (a lack of) sexual content.
Some spoilers ahead
This is one of the truest expressions of an emotionally stunted man I've ever seen in my life, certainly in a videogame. It's so weird to say that, and even if you take me at my word, you would never be able to make the connection. This circles back to the "this game *wants* to be a hidden gem" idea; for you to experience the truth of this game, you need to set aside your own prejudices. It's a challenge, perhaps a video game challenge more difficult than any *Dark Souls* game because people simply aren't ready to hear its message. It's too raw. It cuts too deep. You need to go through the gauntlet that this game throws down before emerging **Shawshank Redemption** style on the other end.Retired Men's Nude Beach Volleyball has terrible gameplay. You can barely see the ball, and when you are able to track it by its shadow, you're not able to get there in time. If on the small chance you are able to get in position and return the ball, it goes straight into the net or out of bounds. Most tellingly, the perspective shifts to the opponent during serves, meaning you have less than a second to track the ball, get into position and return it. This is all rage-inducing, throw-your-controller-at-the-wall levels of unfairness. But it's all by design. Same with its terrible graphics; it's supposed to look that way, because the purpose it serves is one other than being the next pixel-bleeding AAA game for your tricked out battlestation.
This game is a VN disguised as a sports game. It's amateur by design. You're not supposed to win any of the games (I sure didn't, giving me a 0-5 lifetime record in the Retired Men's Nude Beach Volleyball League). That's because win or lose, the real magic happens between the protagonist and the opponent. I won't reveal who the opponents are, but as you play it becomes really clear that people don't talk this way, especially people who supposedly don't know each other.
I suspect that when I gush over a game, readers will build up my recommendation to have some kind of parallel with a 10/10 IGN rating, but no. For the third time, this game is designed to be bad and look bad, so that means, literally speaking, it is bad. That means that I am recommending a bad game, but by playing this, you'll come out of it by having a good experience. A unique one, really, and to be honest, the most emotional experience I've had in video games this year since Still There.
It's a lot like Doki Doki Literature Club in that you should go in knowing as little as possible, which is why I'm still trying to keep this write-up on the coy side. In some ways, they're both equally punishing, but Retired Men's Nude Beach Volleyball remains the more liberating, optimistic one.
At this point, some of you may still be thinking, come on, this is all bullshit, in what world could a game with this title and look like this be about men's inability to emotionally express themselves? But then think about it: men live their entire lives hiding their feelings, ashamed to open up to anyone lest they be mocked for being weak, something reaffirmed by a man whose business will be hosted on the White House lawn this month. That's years of repressed emotion, feelings of regret and sorrow and anguish that had nowhere to go. And then, one day, a crack appears in the dam. Something is finally getting through. And the thing about cracks in a dam is that they can appear anywhere, and for our metaphor, be about anything.
Yes, Retired Men's Nude Beach Volleyball is ridiculous. It doesn't seem to make any sense. But Brokeback Mountain ended with
and no one calls that ridiculous.spoiler
a man dancing with a shirt
I'll just say it: Retired Men's Nude Beach Volleyball is the most beautiful game I've played. Ever. Because beauty isn't skin deep, and neither is it with video games and graphics.
Final tip: Upon finishing the game, exit to the home screen, and from there press "Exit". Don't close the game by other means, like via the Steam menu or F4 or whatever.
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Comment on Save Point: A game deal roundup for the week of May 31 in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentBravo. I feel as though I could make any random reference to you, and they'll be a Steam link in my inbox. I now consider myself learned. Bastard Bonds has wisened me to the term "hot bara"....Bravo. I feel as though I could make any random reference to you, and they'll be a Steam link in my inbox.
I now consider myself learned. Bastard Bonds has wisened me to the term "hot bara". Meanwhile, I don't know anything about **Mediterranea Inferno **, but the reviews assure me it is "very gay and very Italian".
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Comment on Humble Choice - June 2026 in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentEasy for us, but it was all part of the plan. You see, I think I figured out Humble's plan of attack. One day after this amazing Humble Choice for the ages, Humble released 3 Humble Bundles in...Easy for us, but it was all part of the plan. You see, I think I figured out Humble's plan of attack.
One day after this amazing Humble Choice for the ages, Humble released 3 Humble Bundles in quick succession this afternoon. They're mostly mid (discounting the fabulous Pride one that offers some good value for the price), especially the sports one that has 2 2025-era sport titles as its headliners (as it were, both have Mixed reviews).
They're sure to ride the wave of the goodwill of this month's choice, meaning we will definitely see lots of terrible Humble Bundles to come our way soon.
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Comment on Save Point: A game deal roundup for the week of May 31 in ~games
BailerAppleby LinkHumble Bundle's We Will Always Be Here In a politically divisive era when corporations have largely opted out of rainbow-fying their logos for the month of June, Humble Bundle takes the bold...Humble Bundle's We Will Always Be Here
In a politically divisive era when corporations have largely opted out of rainbow-fying their logos for the month of June, Humble Bundle takes the bold choice of offering this lifestyle bundle.
I don't have any of these games, though I'm interested in Dustborn due to its association to the never boring Quantic Dream. All the same, as a non-gay, they don't seem that gay to me. Where are the leather daddies? The lumbering bears? The irrepressible twinks? This bundle should have engorged veins popping all along its burgeoning hull, and I just don't see it.
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Comment on Games journalist Jason Schreier has started a YouTube channel in ~games
BailerAppleby Link"What up, people! It's your boy Jason Schreirer, and today we're counting down the top 10 fanservice games on Steam! A big thanks go out to the sponsor of this video, Nerd Coffin, but more about them later. So without further ado, let's kick off the list!"
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Conclusion and Recap in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentI like video games a lot. I like talking about them even more. It makes for an exciting lifestyle choice when it comes to banter on the intertubes. I made it a point at the beginning of this year...I like video games a lot. I like talking about them even more. It makes for an exciting lifestyle choice when it comes to banter on the intertubes. I made it a point at the beginning of this year to resolve my online habits to include contributing to the Weekly What Have You Been Playing. And then this came along.
So that's my story. There's more to the lore, but it will only be brought up when it's relative to the ongoing narrative/action set-piece.
I just figure, if I'm going to be offering my thoughts on something as peripheral to our lives as a video game, you mights as well:
- be honest and say what you're thinking
- get to the point of what makes it good or bad
- cut through the BS that clutters most reviews
- alternatively, provide analysis that isn't there
Yes. Just like a good Yelp review. But the thing about video games is that most video game reviews are terrible. They're written by people who don't know what to write for people who don't know what they want, scored out of 100. If these four points were to be applied to video game reviews, it would be a watershed moment for the industry/hobby.
Not to hype myself up, but I have controversial opinions on what a video game review should be. Nerds may hold all the power these days, but they also have the most to lose.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Conclusion and Recap in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentI hope you're not implying that Dream Daddy is in any way a traumatic experience. I was always a little try-curious about playing this and Max Gentlemen Sexy Business!, and I would be crushed to...I hope you're not implying that Dream Daddy is in any way a traumatic experience. I was always a little try-curious about playing this and Max Gentlemen Sexy Business!, and I would be crushed to know that a man-splaining, man-attaining dating game could have lasting repercussions for us on the downlow.
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Comment on Humble Choice - June 2026 in ~games
BailerAppleby LinkTruly as good as everyone says. For me, this bundle had 5 wishlisted games and 0 repeated games, so I really lucked out. And being that the bundle's price clocks in lower than the lowest historic...Truly as good as everyone says. For me, this bundle had 5 wishlisted games and 0 repeated games, so I really lucked out. And being that the bundle's price clocks in lower than the lowest historic price for Octopath Traveler 2, the value here is staggering.
All the same, I'm all ready to quit again next month when the goodwill invariably sours. Still, wherever the winds blow us, no matter what laughable promos those suits think we will swallow, we Humble Bundle currently active subscribers will always have June 2026.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Conclusion and Recap in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentIt's not held in the basement of a church, but I find these group therapy sessions to be very helpful. I miss the stale coffee, all the same.It's not held in the basement of a church, but I find these group therapy sessions to be very helpful. I miss the stale coffee, all the same.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Conclusion and Recap in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentCongrats on shrinking your backlog! I've taken a similar strategy to yours, and find it helps with my mindset. I also played Doki Doki Literature Club for this backlog. Personally, I can't believe...Congrats on shrinking your backlog! I've taken a similar strategy to yours, and find it helps with my mindset.
I also played Doki Doki Literature Club for this backlog. Personally, I can't believe it took me so long to play this free game, so it's just as well I finally got around to it on a backlog burner. As the
of our medium, this remains an important game that all gamers should play.cough
Fatal AttractionSpeaking in hushed tones,
spoiler talk
I heard that DDLC has different story paths depending on your choices. I for sure do not want to play it again soon, and neither do I really want to go back down into that rabbit hole, so what was your story like? I concentrated my attention on Yuri and so was able to read a book next to her and feed her chocolate. As a result, Sayori was the first victim, and then Yuri was the second for which I spend the entire weekend looking at her, spamming the button to skip time as fast as possible.
Was your experience similar? Hope you're not too disturbed by this game.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Conclusion and Recap in ~games
BailerAppleby LinkFinal bingo card Flux Standard bingo ✅ 19/25 ✅ Bomb Rush Cyberfunk.. Uses a unique control scheme ✅ Hatoful Boyfriend Came out more than 9 years ago ✅ Tales of The Neon Sea ✅ Still There ✅...- Exemplary
Final bingo card
Flux Standard bingo ✅ 19/25 Popular game you never got around to playing
✅ Bomb Rush Cyberfunk..Uses a unique control scheme Focuses on relationships
✅ Hatoful BoyfriendCame out more than 9 years ago Your friend loves it
✅ Tales of The Neon SeaHas been played at a Backlog Burner
✅ Still ThereHas driving
✅ Breakneck..You have to tinker to get it running
✅ The Textorcist: The Story of Ray Bibbia..It’s already installed
✅ Tails NoirAdaptation of other media type (e.g. board game, movie) From a different culture or country
✅ Generation Zero..From a genre you don’t normally play
✅ The Shapeshifting Detective..★ Wildcard
✅ ProteusChosen for you by someone else
✅ Bendy and the Ink MachineKnown for its real-world drama
✅ Not Tonight 2You control a party of characters
✅ 60 Parsecs!You wanted it when you were younger
✅ OctahedronOwned for more than 4 years
✅ Doki Doki Literature ClubIs beatable without killing any enemies
✅ AtmasphereIs one of the oldest games you own Released in the year you joined Tildes
✅ Homebody..Has cards Focuses on exploration
✅ Guild of DarksteelHas a score system From a series you have played
✅ Legend of Grimrock 2..I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this. I really hoped to have gotten a blackout on all cards, but I achieved the goals I set out from the beginning, nevertheless. It was fun, I got to talk about video games, and maybe share a controversial opinion or two. I appreciate having the chance to take part.
I've been at Tildes for three years now, but only now have I noticed this event. I think if I were to do this again, I'd try to better plan out my picks. As well, I would choose games that were shorter, easier to finish, and weren't so mind-numbingly difficult; Atmasphere, Still There, and The Textoricist are some of the most difficult games I've ever played in my life. I mentioned that for The Textorcist, I will need to further train myself to be able to advance in the game.
As was my mission from the start, this backlog burner had everything to do with the fine people here who shared their games with me, so I'd like to share my thanks by recognizing them again:
Gifters: Thank you for your generosity!
For me, a month of playing 19 videogames is rare, and the experience was a lot like a film festival in that I kept comparing them with each other. So with that, here's a rundown of all the games I played for the month, ranked by whether I'd recommend them or not; the higher their place in the list, the higher they rank in that category.
Yay or Nay
Recommended Games
- Proteus
- Still There
- Generation Zero
- Hatoful Boyfriend
- Doki Doki Literature Club
- The Textorcist: The Story of Ray Bibbia
- Homebody
- Not Tonight 2
- Atmasphere
- Guild of Darksteel
Non-Recommended
- Tales of the Neon Sea
- Bendy and the Ink Machine
- The Shapeshifting Detective
- Breakneck
Incomplete Playthroughs, but Worth Playing More:
- Tails Noir
- Legend of Grimrock 2
- Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
- Octahedron
And, if it's okay, here are my "awards" for the best games I played this month, each accompanied by a SomethingAwful-One-Sentence-Review-type blurb:
The May 2026 BailerAppleby Tildes Backlog Burner Video Game Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence
Most Innovative: Proteus
This is it: The first 3.5D video game.
Most Emotional: Still There
The far reaches of outer space can't compare to the yawning blackness of a grieving heart.
Most Complete Package/Biggest Surprise: Generation Zero
Shooting giant robots. In Sweden. In the 80s ...is more fun/dev-supported than you can imagine.
Best Genre Bending: The Textoricist: The Story of Ray Bibbia
The Vatican-underworld-dwelling exorcism bullet hell you'll be lining up at St. Peter's gate for, and as much as you may already harbor strong opinions about spelling games, just admit it: this is your type.
Most Creative: Hatoful Boyfriend
The game for anybirdy who always wanted to fly, but will settle for dating it instead.
Most Relevant to Our Times: Not Tonight 2
Too absurd to be taken seriously, too serious to ignore, and too emotionally draining to stay invested in, the only way to properly experience the epoch-changing current events that we live through day to day is for a NPC to explain it to you in a cutscene.
Hidden Gem (that everybody should play): Homebody
The best of the X-Files, made for millennials.
Most Difficult: Atmasphere
The incredibly relaxing way to endear yourself to apoplectic rage.
Best Vibe (modern): Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
The future is cool, oppressive, and one where square pants are still in fashion.
Best Vibe (retro): Octahedron
The old-school vector platformer that is only missing a quarter slot, a high-score slot, and a triangle retrowave carpet beneath your feet.
Most True to Self: Tails Noir
Timeless.
Best Writing/Concept: Doki Doki Literature Club
The collective geek punishment we deserve that grants vengeance to the objects we covet.
Thanks to @Wes and @kfwyre for running the show, and to @JCPhoenix for the recommendations, and for all the feedback I got. It was great, thank you all for a successful Backlog Burner!
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 5(ish) Discussion in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentYou're not the only one. Lots of gamers like it. I'm the odd man out, feeling like I'm upsetting the apple cart. The game has won awards, even. So it's not a bad game, per se, but a game that...You're not the only one. Lots of gamers like it. I'm the odd man out, feeling like I'm upsetting the apple cart. The game has won awards, even. So it's not a bad game, per se, but a game that shows off the ignorance of the devs towards their influences.
Also, the English translation is bad. Unspeakably bad. Localization should matter as much to a video game if it's good, but this game is built like a visual novel. You can't ignore it. Errors, mistranslations, non-native meanings... line after line of exposition, hundreds of button presses, all resulting in broken logic and outright misunderstandings. It's just one of the many things wrong with this game.
The way things go, you notice one thing wrong, and then another, and then more. The problematic issues became so endemic to the gaming experience that it ruined everything, including boobs. Boobs! How can you ruin boobs?
All the same, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I don't want to keep ruining other people's experiences, so I won't bring it up again.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 5(ish) Discussion in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentVery true. I did not play a lot of it, but do recall a bit of this, I think to do with the transient manifesting platforms? Fun fact: I did not know what an "octahedron" was before, so if anyone's...Very true. I did not play a lot of it, but do recall a bit of this, I think to do with the transient manifesting platforms?
Fun fact: I did not know what an "octahedron" was before, so if anyone's wondering, it's the glowing shape representing the protag's floating head. Like an ass-to-ass set of vertically stacked pyramids, if such a thing can be said.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 5(ish) Discussion in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentThanks for the recos! I have not played either one, though Lacuna was on my radar before. I think cyberpunk, detectives, and point and click adventures all go hand in hand since they all have to...Lacuna. More a sci-fi noire than cyberpunk. There's also Technobabylon.
Thanks for the recos! I have not played either one, though Lacuna was on my radar before. I think cyberpunk, detectives, and point and click adventures all go hand in hand since they all have to do with uncovering mysteries.
I've had my eye on Dex for awhile, though that isn't point and click nor a detective story, but keeps many of the same themes, being a sidescroller with combat. Don't know if that's your thing, but it may interest you.
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Comment on Save Point: A game deal roundup for the week of May 31 in ~games
BailerAppleby LinkFanatical's Goblinz Studio 10th Anniversary Bundle I'm not personally interested as I'm not familiar with this studio (maybe someone can give recommendations). But I find this bundle fascinating...Fanatical's Goblinz Studio 10th Anniversary Bundle
I'm not personally interested as I'm not familiar with this studio (maybe someone can give recommendations). But I find this bundle fascinating because this is a rare tiered bundle format for Fanatical. Could they be looking to steal Humble Bundle's chief marketing tactic?
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 5(ish) Discussion in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentThere's not much to it, but I liked it a lot. It's such a bittersweet game. I don't know how personal it was (in the case of Mixtape, not personal at all, people tend to complain) but it's such an...There's not much to it, but I liked it a lot. It's such a bittersweet game. I don't know how personal it was (in the case of Mixtape, not personal at all, people tend to complain) but it's such an underrepresented subject. How else do you reflect on the death of a childhood friendship? I feel as though The Gardens Between got lost in its aesthetics, and didn't go hard on the personal aspect of it (like how Still There does).
I tend to gravitate towards arty, pretentious games. Some I don't even like at all, like Where the Bees Make Honey. Total pomposity, that one.
Fanatical Movember Father's Day Charity Bundle (2026)
11 Steam keys for $12.99 USD that include:
If you've supported the Movemeber charity bundle before on Fanatical, you'll see some repeats here (notably Chivalry II and Sticky Business). I looked for what charity this supports, only to find:
I'd say this is a good purchase and a good cause to support, but I also noticed this at the bottom, so please beware: