BailerAppleby's recent activity
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
BailerAppleby Link Parent43Ethrian Odyssey in HD Quality: Etrian Odyssey HD 37Destroyer 64: DOOM 64 117The Tail Is Black: Tails Noir 128With Violence: Hyperviolent43 Ethrian Odyssey in HD Quality: Etrian Odyssey HD
37 Destroyer 64: DOOM 64
117 The Tail Is Black: Tails Noir
128 With Violence: Hyperviolent -
Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentWow, what a list of good games! For me, I would like to request Core Keeper. I've been on a mining kick lately; right now, I am playing Ad funum, a rather cozy mining game.Wow, what a list of good games! For me, I would like to request Core Keeper. I've been on a mining kick lately; right now, I am playing Ad funum, a rather cozy mining game.
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentEntering with "Video Games" just so I can post this lyric: ...always makes me think that Scorpion would make for a good snuggler.Entering with "Video Games" just so I can post this lyric:
Open up a beer and you say, "Get over here"
And play a video game...always makes me think that Scorpion would make for a good snuggler.
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentOne year, I decided to buy and play Cthulhu Saves Christmas during the holiday season. I hadn't played the game it is based on and don't usually play holiday-themed games, but it was the right...One year, I decided to buy and play Cthulhu Saves Christmas during the holiday season. I hadn't played the game it is based on and don't usually play holiday-themed games, but it was the right pick for the gaming mood I was in. It was number of years ago, but I remember being impressed by it and promising myself to play it again in the future; I think it would be to catch a different ending (which wouldn't matter now since I don't remember much about the game anyways). The thing that impressed me about it is how many corners were cut to make the game, and how flippant the game was about it. It seemed pretty obvious that crammed in the work to push this game out for a holiday deadline (a (mini-)RPG, no less), but it doesn't feel unworthy. Rather, the whole thing is a hoot, and the game dev let us in in the fun. I'd play it again, but it's on Switch, and I've mostly given up on that platform. Still, a good small Christmas RPG recommendation for anyone interested.
I am interested in American Arcadia or, if that is not available, then my alternate choice would be Sable. Thanks!
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentMuch appreciated, thank you! Those GT Snow Racers were amazing! Too bad I missed out on those. Merry Christmas to you as well!Much appreciated, thank you!
Those GT Snow Racers were amazing! Too bad I missed out on those.
Merry Christmas to you as well! -
Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentI would like to choose this one because I believe there is a Loony Toons scenario in which a trap involving a suspended grand piano is an integral part of the plot.- Piano, Friends, Catastrophe
I would like to choose this one because I believe there is a Loony Toons scenario in which a trap involving a suspended grand piano is an integral part of the plot.
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentRequesting Legend of Grimrock 2, please. I love the old dungeon crawlers from before the turn of the century. I played the first one for awhile (before my laptop gave out), so I imagine this...Requesting Legend of Grimrock 2, please. I love the old dungeon crawlers from before the turn of the century. I played the first one for awhile (before my laptop gave out), so I imagine this should be just as great.
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentOne Christmas when I was younger, my brother and I decided to go tobogganing. We were staying over at a relative's place and, as we weren't familiar with the lay of the land, we had no idea where...One Christmas when I was younger, my brother and I decided to go tobogganing. We were staying over at a relative's place and, as we weren't familiar with the lay of the land, we had no idea where to go. But, being impulsive kids, we were sure we could continue this Christmas tradition of ours. As it turned out, finding a location wasn't a problem in our relative's hilly neighborhood; what was a problem was the snow: there wasn't enough of it. Because it's this kind of story, you can probably guess that we went tobogganing anyways, and as I can tell you, this is not something that I would recommend to anyone. Going down is rough, and falling off is simply not an option. We did it a few times until the wiser part of decided to go home, dragging our ruined sled behind us. But yeah, it was fun, and memorable.
Would like to request Warhammer 40,000 Boltgun if it is still available.
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Comment on Zork I, II, and III go open source in ~games
BailerAppleby LinkZork I as an adventure game https://tintwotin.itch.io/zork-iZork I as an adventure game
https://tintwotin.itch.io/zork-i -
Comment on What ridiculous thing would you spend billions on? in ~talk
BailerAppleby Link ParentIf I were cursed with another billion I had to waste, I would use my wealth to build a new kind of gym. This gym would have participants work out while wearing ninja outfits and tactical...If I were cursed with another billion I had to waste, I would use my wealth to build a new kind of gym. This gym would have participants work out while wearing ninja outfits and tactical turtlenecks, and they would workout by throwing shuriken while doing somersaults and rope swinging over shark pits while flames and explosions go off in the background. But instead of opening these gyms in city centers, I would make it just one of the rooms in my mansions around the world so that I can open a door to watch people train to be secret agents. Yes, it's like that bit in Wayne's World, but my dream is unique because it would single-handedly inspire a new trend among billionaires that would do away with the Epstein-ing that has gone on for far too long.
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Comment on What ridiculous thing would you spend billions on? in ~talk
BailerAppleby LinkI would throw away my billion dollars in my years-in-the-making vanity project: a live-action recreation of the 60's Thunderbirds TV show in which all the actors pretend to be marionettes. I would...I would throw away my billion dollars in my years-in-the-making vanity project: a live-action recreation of the 60's Thunderbirds TV show in which all the actors pretend to be marionettes. I would pay top dollar to all the AAA-listers to exposit ham-fisted dialog like "But an asteroid that size could destroy the whole planet" by only moving their eyes and mouths. As well, I would hire an auteur like Christopher Nolan because he would insist on doing everything without CGI (his rules) so that 1:1 working versions of those implausibly giant vehicle would need to be designed and created, thereby ballooning the budget to hitherto unreached, obscene oligarchical-decadent limits. Then, finally, to ensure that this movie would be a bona fide smash hit (which, come on, it for sure is going to happen), I would pay audiences to come watch the movie on the condition that they be dressed up to look like marionettes and stay completely still for the entire viewing.
I would take a photo of the marionette audience watching the marionette movie, and submit it as my final assignment for art school called "Society". I would barely receive a passing grade, but the marks will push me past graduation, meaning I now have to find a job what am I going to do?
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BailerAppleby LinkSo many new games being played on this list! For me, I was lucky enough to pick up Snake Eyes Dungeon for free, and it's been occupying my time quite enjoyable recently. It's gotten a lot of hate...So many new games being played on this list! For me, I was lucky enough to pick up Snake Eyes Dungeon for free, and it's been occupying my time quite enjoyable recently. It's gotten a lot of hate in the Steam reviews for being a mobile game from 2016 that uses an overused dice-rolling mechanic for its battle system. But even though reviewers complain that gameplay is all random, the opposite is true.
Snake Eyes Dungeon employs a very simple gameplay loop: here are your probable outcomes (based on 2 six-sided dice rolls), and here are your options -- now get to the end. It seems like the sour naysayers are spamming the combat button and getting killed when retreat is an overlooked strategic move. Of course, it is a roguelike, sometimes your character is going to die and there is nothing you can do about it. Then again, once you break past its "secrets", the chore switches from needlessly dying to gaining enough cash to buy the next huge upgrade.
Honestly, I like it most for its "pure" mechanics and the chance to think about probabilities all day, even though it's pretty obvious the game has its thumb on the scale to really be called "random". If you can pick it up for cheap, this is a fun little ditty and sparkles in its simplicity.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BailerAppleby LinkJust finished the story part to Strikey Sisters, and its much more enjoyable as it goes on as the presentation does add a lot. However, it seems it much more enjoyable to play in co-op. Just...Just finished the story part to Strikey Sisters, and its much more enjoyable as it goes on as the presentation does add a lot. However, it seems it much more enjoyable to play in co-op.
Just started Ironcast, and am having a blast with it. It's more roguelike than puzzler, and luck has a lot to do with your success. All the same, I am really enjoying the steampunk setting behind it.
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Comment on Tron: Ares | Official trailer in ~movies
BailerAppleby LinkIf there ever needed to be a "vibe" movie, this would be it. I don't need to understand why Tronworld is leaking over into ours. I don't need to have the motivations explained of why the bad guy...If there ever needed to be a "vibe" movie, this would be it.
I don't need to understand why Tronworld is leaking over into ours. I don't need to have the motivations explained of why the bad guy wants to conquer Earth. Keep me completely confused as the protagonist gets on a Tron bike and drives to the next story point, blitzing through streets of neon and blur with the dialog obfuscated by an overbearing soundtrack.
Truly, we need more vibe movies like Miami Vice and Tenet. We need spectacle delivered through maximum feels at the expense of narrative clarity. As confusing as this may be for the audience, it's exactly what we need with a new Tron movie.
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Comment on ‘Legend of Zelda’ live-action movie casts Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Zelda and Link in ~movies
BailerAppleby Link ParentI have not seen the po-mo version of The Princess Bride for cynical audiences, but this looks to be from it. Thanks for sharing.I have not seen the po-mo version of The Princess Bride for cynical audiences, but this looks to be from it.
Thanks for sharing.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BailerAppleby LinkAm playing Logic Town right now. It's a logic puzzle game that fully exploits your compulsiveness to maintain order; it's basically procrastination for cleaning your room when you should be doing...Am playing Logic Town right now. It's a logic puzzle game that fully exploits your compulsiveness to maintain order; it's basically procrastination for cleaning your room when you should be doing something else on top of that. These puzzles are created on the spot from the game's rather complex algorithm that is able to fully explain itself using a word/icon hybrid language, making for a smooth playing experience that rings of sameness throughout. Hard to put down, even harder to get someone else to appreciate the hard work you put into playing it.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BailerAppleby LinkAfter a long day of work, there's nothing like coming home, plopping yourself in front of your game experience provider, and spending your free time working some more. Yes, games that require you...After a long day of work, there's nothing like coming home, plopping yourself in front of your game experience provider, and spending your free time working some more. Yes, games that require you to perform repetitive tasks at the behest of a talking badger, but they don't pay anything -- unless you accept payment in the form of a chill, meditative experience that comes from power washing dirty driveways, driving long distances hauling freight, or dismantling derelict space craft in outer space.
Job games have been instrumental in making us all into honest gamers. And to help, there's another type of job game that has been woefully under-represented; a job game that neither cozy nor offers a transcendental experience; a job game not about the rewards, but about the grind of iteration.
Pack your lunchbox, pay up your union dues. It's time to head to work at Robocop: Rogue City.
This licensed game based on 2/3rd of the R-rated, hyper-violent 80s action movie franchise that was fit to be repurposed as a children's cartoon is an odd-duck experience. It features a first-person perspective from which you can shoot green-silhouetted, cover-adverse bad guys -- just like from the movie. And yet, you're let loose upon a decaying and crime-ridden Old Detroit not to explode head cavities with a satisfying pop, but to issue tickets, sweep for clues, and help solve cases.
Unlike the fast pace and notable quotes of the movie, the video game version of Robocop is all drudge and minutia. It's pacing back and forth between fetch quests. It's all the boring stuff trimmed out of the running time of the theatrical cut. And I love it.
As slow-paced and grounded as it is, Robocop: Rogue City is the perfect companion to the movie in that it offers the player the experience of policing the mean streets of Old Detroit as its favorite son. And what makes the experience compelling is that to Robocop, this is his job. He does this because it's what he does. He has to track down car thieves and drug dealers (and shoot them to death) because it's something that has to be done. It's a dirty job, and you are the one to do it.
While a game starring Judge Dredd would be better able to explore themes of fascism and free will, Robocop delights in its premise of policing as a blue-collar vocation. Our hero serves as both role model and lackey to the other police officers who seem genuinely appreciative of Robocop's efforts as though he is some kind of Roomba/tank hybrid. With the policing situation so dire, and so few cops to go around, this is one job that demands to be done.
Spare observations:
- 3 hours in and not one "I'd buy that for a dollar". Almost a game breaker for me.
- On the plus side, Old Detroit looks great, especially in its lineup of early 80s cars.
- Another turn off: Robocop's movements don't translate well to this game. His footsteps sound like the bass drum beats of the time. You'd think they'd be a satisfying whirl that sounds every time you start and stop, but no.
- Soot looks punk, but his music sounds like an EA sports game from the 90s.
- Because this game takes place before Robocop 3, the real tragedy is that Jill Hennessy won't make an appearance.
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: June/July 2025 in ~games
BailerAppleby Link ParentThanks for all the games! I've already received a lot from you, but if no one else wants them, I would love to receive Genesis Alpha One and/or Iron Danger; I am a sucker for sci-shooters and...Thanks for all the games! I've already received a lot from you, but if no one else wants them, I would love to receive Genesis Alpha One and/or Iron Danger; I am a sucker for sci-shooters and tactics games.
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Comment on Disney reportedly planning full reboot of the Indiana Jones franchise in ~movies
BailerAppleby Link ParentThis is a recurring theme seen in everything from Hellboy to Bloodrayne to those Nazi zombie movies (Dead Snow? And the one on the moon?) But "occultist Nazis" is unique to Indiana Jones because...occultist Nazis
This is a recurring theme seen in everything from Hellboy to Bloodrayne to those Nazi zombie movies (Dead Snow? And the one on the moon?) But "occultist Nazis" is unique to Indiana Jones because they embody everything his character is about.
The guy is a college professor who believes that archeology should be for everyone ("It belongs in a museum!"). So it's natural that he'd be upset if there are people trying to weaponize the thing he loves, kind of like what an aerospace engineer's reaction to the 9/11 attacks would be. But it's more than that. The guy is a rogue cannon who embodies the independence and freedom that Americans (used to) cherish. The Nazis are an existential threat to his way of life (at his point in history). The guy will be compulsively punching them in the nursing home with nary a MacGuffin in sight.
The Leg Lamp gets all the attention, so I can't believe I'm the first to remind everyone of the Cowboy Dancing Santa for my Persona 5 entry. It was featured as the main story in not just one, but two episodes of Fraser (the old season and the reboot), making it a fan favorite of the show. It fits in well because it embodies the character clash between the down-to-earth father Martin and his prim and proper sons.
Like the Leg Lamp, this doesn't have much to do with Christmas, but unlike the Leg Lamp, it's a kitschy take on Christmas for which you can sympathize with how both sides feel about it.
I was always surprised this didn't take off; this is one of the few things I remember about Fraser, aside from the episode where Daphne was revealed to be an illegal immigrant that faced deportation during a border crossing in an RV, something something that's so ridiculous it could only be on TV.
As my reading skills are poor, I've only at this point realized that the topic was about Christmas yard decorations. Fortunately, the company that made this vintage piece, Gemmy Industries, is still around, and they now offer a fully inflatable version of the Dancing Cowboy Santa, only now he's Tropical Santa flanked by coconut-bra-wearing penguins (for historical accuracy). Or, if you prefer your Santas to not be dancing but crapping on your lawn, there's fully animatronic Santa in an Outhouse, in which our titular hero peeks out from behind a bathroom door at passerbys while dropping a Yuletide log, as we are all wont to do. You know, he sees you when you're sleeping, so this really isn't all that strange.
And, you'll be glad to know that Dancing Cowboy Santa has been updated for millennials with the Twerking Reindeer and Twerking Snowman, both featuring fully animatronic butts. O Holy Night, indeed.
For my picks, I would like to request Do Not Feed the Monkeys, Say No! More, and/or Trail Out, please.
Meanwhile, because it's topical, if anyone is interested in a cozy and tasteful game about hanging Christmas lights, check out Light Up the Town. It just came out this month, and has amassed over 400 positive reviews in just 13 days.