Chemslayer's recent activity
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Comment on Request for info: Is "Don't Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro" respectful of it's child characters? in ~anime
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Request for info: Is "Don't Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro" respectful of it's child characters?
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Comment on Valve announces new hardware: Steam Frame, Steam Controller, and Steam Machine in ~games
Chemslayer LinkWhen I saw this post I got so physically excited, I've been praying for a steam controller 2 for so long, and exactly what I wanted was "the steam deck controls without the screen". I've been...When I saw this post I got so physically excited, I've been praying for a steam controller 2 for so long, and exactly what I wanted was "the steam deck controls without the screen". I've been enjoying couch gaming ever since I got my projector setup, but for some games it's hard to forego the trackpads, and the Xbox controllers placement of the D-Pad makes D-Pad-Based games a lot less comfortable than the native deck controls. Now I will get to have my cake and eat it too, and while they don't always get it right on the first try I can always trust Valve to stand by their products
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Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
Chemslayer LinkLast night (Friday), my co-op threw our annual Around the World party! It's a house bonding type party, where volunteers each host their room, with some kind of activity and usually a drink too....Last night (Friday), my co-op threw our annual Around the World party! It's a house bonding type party, where volunteers each host their room, with some kind of activity and usually a drink too. Then we go as a group to each room, getting progressively more drunk and excited. It was a blast, and I really loved being with my people.
I rarely drink, but when I do I usually go full-drunk. And it was super nice, as when I'm drunk I'm much more open about my desire for and appreciation of physical touch and affection. I got some very nice cuddles/hand-holding/forehead kisses that I had been craving but buried for a long time. I honestly wish I knew how to carry that energy into my usual sober life, but I fear the "excuse" of alcohol might do more of the heavy lifting then the actual drunkenness.
[Sidenote: Consent is very important! I'm proud that even at my most wasted I am very conscientious of asking for and receiving consent, and behaving such as not repeatedly asking or some such and taking "no" with grace. The alcohol doesn't make me more "touchy" or anything, it just makes me a lot less scared to ask for the touch I want]
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Chemslayer LinkStill playing a lot of Hades 2, I got the ending recently and am working on true ending. Mechanically game is still wonderful, and the fact there's still things to unlock post-ending is a...Still playing a lot of Hades 2, I got the ending recently and am working on true ending. Mechanically game is still wonderful, and the fact there's still things to unlock post-ending is a testament to the massive amount of content.
I do have thoughts on the ending:
Major Ending Spoilers
I wasn't thrilled with the ending, or how it was handled. I knew there had to be some shenanigans; being a rogue like they couldn't very well permanently kill the final bosses. I predicted the "Chronos turns good" twist, as that is just kind of the vibe Hades has had as a series, and I think it's fine. My issue though is it didn't feel earned or built up to at all, it just kind of happens and he goes from arrogant and angry to super docile and apologetic out of nowhere. It really didn't feel authentic, or like real character development.
My other big gripe with the ending is that Zagreus, instead of Melinoe, had the big decision and impact. Like we spend the entire game as Melinoe, there was all this opportunity for her to decide to spare Chronos or "find another way" or some such, but that gets taken entirely out of her/our hands and instead a Zagreus gets to be the "hero". I feel like it took so much agency away from Melinoe that it really feels just dumb, like the equivalent of a male coworker repeating a woman's idea louder and then getting all the credit. Top that off with Melinoe doesn't even experience these weird alternate past memories and it's just... what the heck dude?
And then to top it off, the normally incredibly distrustful and vengeful gods just accepting Chronos' sudden weird change, with a grand total of one voice line each being like "eh idk maybe" before dropping it, just feels so out of character.
Anyway, so while I don't really like how the ending was handled, the other story bits and character arcs are as lovely as ever, and mechanically the game is amazing. I look forward to playing through true ending.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Chemslayer LinkBesides Hades 2 (which I posted about under the other thread), I've been absolutely jamming Deep Rock Galactic Survivor. I threw it into my cart when I was purchasing Hades 2, as I had a lot of...Besides Hades 2 (which I posted about under the other thread), I've been absolutely jamming Deep Rock Galactic Survivor. I threw it into my cart when I was purchasing Hades 2, as I had a lot of love for DRG and it had finally hit 1.0 and was 6 dollars so I figured it was worth trying at least.
And oh, I've been so blown away. It improves on the Survivor template in so many amazing ways. Note the main other survivor I have significant time in is the OG (Vampire Survivors), so most of my comparisons will be to that.
- Resource collection: adding resources to mine (gold/nitra) that you can trade between stages gives real reason to roam the map, much more so than finding small secrets in VS.
2)Multiple objectives and goodies: tied into the above, the game gives you so many different things you want to do (Get minerals, complete secondary, get drop pod, pickup XP from slain enemies, kill the boss faster for better loot ) and also gives you little precious time to do it. Having to balance priorities, and decide when to be safe and give up things vs be risky to try to have it all is a lot of fun.
3)Weapon upgrade system: you get 4 weapons over the course of a run, and upgrade them with various stats, which also increase their level, and at 3 different tiers you get an overclock, aka a powerful special upgrade, with the last being an especially powerful unstable overclock. You can also get generic upgrades, ones that apply to all weapons or stronger ones that apply to a subset (such as electrical weapons, heavy weapons, etc). One minor complaint is the system highly emphasizes matching types vs variety, but that may be the nature of the beast. The weapon system and especially the overclock feels awesome, much like evolving your weapon in VS, but here it's much more straightforward.
- Enemy balance: the enemies scale over a run to nearly match your power: while you still get the feeling of being a death machine that is the standard for survivor games, even at your strongest you still have to pay attention, which is nice (compared to VS where many late game builds you can just put your controller down for the last 8 minutes).
Bonus) For any fans of DRG, there's lots of references, familiar voice lines, etc, as you'd expect. It's charming.
Overall I want to give props to the team, for adapting the parts of DRG that made sense, and leaving out what didn't. For example, in DRG the Scouts grapple hook is a signature part of his kit, you can't imagine a scout without it. But it's entirely absent in Survivor, as it wasn't needed. I think people making a spinoff of existing IP tend to fall into the trap of needing to 1:1 the IP as much as possible, and try to shoehorn specifics into it rather than catch the vibe. I think DRG Survivor made smart choices for what would be fun and what wasn't needed, and captured the same feelings of DRG in a new format.
Only complaints are the (apparently new to 1.0) gear system is overly fiddly, you get new pieces once or more per run, they have different slots and raritites and each has 3-5 stats and abilities and also can be upgraded and also can be different levels, it's just too much to care about. Thankfully the have a "smart equip" button that auto puts some stuff there (good stuff? I truly have no idea), but I hope that they can tighten and simply the system a bit, as the idea of building tailored "builds" is an interesting one, but as is a little too much for a Survivor.
And, the game uses way more steam deck battery than you'd expect. Guess those 3D renderings and bug calculations take it out of you. I typically get like an hour 15 or hour and a half on full battery. Lack of a mid-run save option (or a game crash recovery save) has caused me mild distress a few times.
Overall if you enjoy survivor games I heartily recommend the game. If you also enjoyed DRG that's just a nice bonus
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Chemslayer Link Parent(Psst id probably spoiler tag part of this bit, as someone who eagerly awaited the release but didn't follow development the discovery of the topside run, what I've been lovingly referring to as...(Psst id probably spoiler tag part of this bit, as someone who eagerly awaited the release but didn't follow development the discovery of
the topside run, what I've been lovingly referring to as "Hades 3"Was a big happy surprise.)
But agreed, this game is amazing, it is more of everything that was great about Hades, but further refined and expanded and with so much content, really everything you'd hope for in a sequel. I've only beaten Chronos a few times
, but I really look forward to keeping on
and Typhon only once -
Comment on What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime
Chemslayer Link ParentAgreed on your first spoiler, which is why I was so surprised at my spoiler. But I guess we'll see how it gets handled, my guess would be each "adventure" will only involve a subset, to give them...Agreed on your first spoiler, which is why I was so surprised at my spoiler. But I guess we'll see how it gets handled, my guess would be
each "adventure" will only involve a subset, to give them more time to shine. But that does mean I imagine the series will be hella long, not a bad thing but means it'll take forever to get the resolution, and you can only drag out the romance will-they-wont-they so longRe:your second spoiler, I didn't realize that was an actual thing, tbh I never really thought to think that it meant anything. Now I'm curious to find out more too!
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Comment on What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime
Chemslayer LinkNew Dandadan manga came out recently! Just wrapped it up, it was a fun one, spoilers for Dandadan inc this volume but I'm surprised we got yet another high schooler with a occult connection to be...New Dandadan manga came out recently! Just wrapped it up, it was a fun one,
spoilers for Dandadan inc this volume
but I'm surprised we got yet another high schooler with a occult connection to be presumably a part of the cast moving forward. She even got her own quirky spirit!
Overall it was fun! And nice and lower stakes (well, as low as Dan gets anyway). Sad the mystery of the beginning wasn't expanded more this volume, but I suppose that's being setup as the next big "arc"
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Comment on After quitting antidepressants, some people suffer surprising, lingering symptoms in ~health.mental
Chemslayer Link ParentAn analogy I've found matches my experience is calling them "glitching", based on the first Spiderman miles Morales movie (don't remember exact name). In that movie the Spidermans from alternate...An analogy I've found matches my experience is calling them "glitching", based on the first Spiderman miles Morales movie (don't remember exact name). In that movie the Spidermans from alternate dimensions "glitch", which is shown as a sudden, disorienting, and mildly painful sensation that consumes them for a brief moment, and then leaves as soon as it came.
If you haven't seen the movie, try looking up a clip. The nice thing is the movie was pretty popular, so a lot of people have seen it, so describing it in reference to the movie has been understandable for people I tell it to so far
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Comment on Humble Bundle: Martha Wells’ Murderbot and more in ~books
Chemslayer LinkHooray! I read the first one and enjoyed it tons, but the books being full-book price for 100 page novella length was a mental block I couldn't get past for the sequels. But now the price is right...Hooray! I read the first one and enjoyed it tons, but the books being full-book price for 100 page novella length was a mental block I couldn't get past for the sequels. But now the price is right and I can enjoy the rest of em :D
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Comment on Do you play games in a play by email format, and if so what are you favorite games? in ~games
Chemslayer LinkI researched this a few years ago, I was living on a bus and had spotty/slow internet, but still wanting to play an engaging game. Anything requiring synchronicity was out. Real time is out too...I researched this a few years ago, I was living on a bus and had spotty/slow internet, but still wanting to play an engaging game. Anything requiring synchronicity was out. Real time is out too obviously. But while any turn-based game can technically be played by mail, many have so many opportunities for decisions and responses that waiting for each would drag. As an example, a turn of Magic the Gathering has something like 24 priority passes that both players have to acknowledge. In person it's easy, as you usually just skip them or interrupt when you want to do something. But in PBEM, you have to check each time, which means there'd be a small part of doing things and a lot of emails just saying "pass priority" which is lame.
So the game has to 1) be turn based in some form, and 2) has to have enough interesting decisions or actions to take between needing to consult the other player to be worthwhile. Also wanted 3) two player, as I didn't want to organize a whole thing, I just wanted to play with a pal
The classic here is chess, since (rhetorical) you can get a lot of mileage analyzing the board and thinking about moves before you make yours. But I'm not much of a chess guy, I wanted something with a little more pizzazz.
The pickings were slim, but I did ultimately settle on Codex: the Card Game. It's a weird card-based game meant to emulate an RTS of all things, with champions and factions and such. But it has a good amount of depth, and the interplay was fun, and it is actually designed such that each player doesn't need any response from their opponent during their own turn (ideal PEMB!). It's out of print, but you can still buy a digital copy and print your own cards to play via sending pictures to one another. When my friend and I played we also put together a complicated Google sheet that served as our boards, to digitize it further. Sadly, we only got halfway through our first game (and I took a pretty large upper hand) before my friend lost interest, so I didn't end up getting to explore too much :(
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Comment on What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime
Chemslayer LinkNearly finished with the currently available SpyxFamily manga, starting vol 14 now. Would recommend, fun slice of life with very goofy elements (relating to the main trio and their unique powers...Nearly finished with the currently available SpyxFamily manga, starting vol 14 now. Would recommend, fun slice of life with very goofy elements (relating to the main trio and their unique powers etc).
I do want to say though, I'm worried. I'm fairly new to manga, but it seems to be a custom that at the end of each volume the writer (and artist if it's someone different) will write a little blurb about whatever, usually something random from their life, and it's endearing. The last several volumes of SpyxFamily the author blurb has been all about how he feels overwhelmed and overworked and has no time for anything but making the manga anymore. I really hope mr manga guy takes care of himself, obviously I want more issues but more than that I don't want him to burn out and hurt himself on something he loved :(
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Chemslayer LinkBeen playing a lot of Astral Ascent, local co-op with my best friend. To be honest I wasn't very into it, it had too much going on (Basic attacks and 4 spells that you did in order but also...Been playing a lot of Astral Ascent, local co-op with my best friend. To be honest I wasn't very into it, it had too much going on (Basic attacks and 4 spells that you did in order but also there's a ton of different spells and 5 elemental types and each elemental type has 4 or 5 mechanics that intersect with each other in different ways and ahhhh). But I kept playing as my bf was very into it, and around the 20 hour mark something clicked and I started to really enjoy the game. We just got the "true ending" yesterday and plan to work through more ascension levels. Being local co-op is a ton of fun too, even if there's some annoying parts that don't seem super thought through (like only one of you can be looking at a pickup at a time).
Overall, I still don't think I can recommend it, as I'm not comfortable reccing something that takes 20 hours to make sense. But it does turn into a fun and powerful rogue-like, and you can make some truly busted stuff, so if you decide to put up with the learning curve it's a good time esp co-op
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
Chemslayer Link ParentI'm on book 5 ATM, and just a warning it only gets more sweeping lol. But it's been one of my favorite series, so if you're enjoying it now I'd suggest keeping on!I'm on book 5 ATM, and just a warning it only gets more sweeping lol. But it's been one of my favorite series, so if you're enjoying it now I'd suggest keeping on!
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
Chemslayer LinkAbout halfway through Stormlight Archive book 5, enjoying it greatly, I'm glad to see these characters' stories finally get sewn up after reading since 2020. (I know there's 5 more books planned,...About halfway through Stormlight Archive book 5, enjoying it greatly, I'm glad to see these characters' stories finally get sewn up after reading since 2020. (I know there's 5 more books planned, but there's supposed to be a big time jump, and while magic shenanigans might port a few characters over I have to imagine it'll probably take on a new cast).
Also reading The F*ggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions, at the recommendation of a drag artist I saw. (Censored here as idk what Tildes stance is there). It's been interesting, identifying as the A at the far end of the alphabet I don't connect personally with a lot of the sexual release themes of the book, but it's still powerful to read the experiences of queers of yesteryear and see how things have changed and how things have stayed the same. It's nice that it's mostly one or two paragraph chapters with no narrative throughline between them, males it very easy to pick up and put down and gives is a more lyrical/poem-like feel.
Besides books reading SFSX comic I got from the humble comic bundle (that another Tildes user turned me onto, thanks!), it's a near-future dystopia where a pseudo-religious puritan movement takes over the country (world maybe?) and enforces strict moral standards, and the sex workers and friends fighting against it in the shadows. If it didn't seem obvious Heavy sexual themes (and imagery). Only read the first 3 chapters so far, neat premise, hasn't fully sucked me in yet but enough that I want to continue. The third chapter changed artists, and I was really enjoying the more exaggerated cartoon style, and was slightly disappointed to peek ahead to chapter 4 and see the art revert. (The art is very well done! It's just more realistic (I'd compare it to Saga), and I personally preferred the tone set by the more abstract. But alas I respect the artists decisions, whatever those are).
Also working my way through SpyxFamily, on volume 9. I've given my thoughts on the series in the Manga thread, very endearing and worth the read IMO
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Chemslayer LinkMy best friend and I got into Ravenswatch, and it's been super great. It's a co-op action rogue like (think Hades) based on a "dark" version of general folklore (characters include red riding...My best friend and I got into Ravenswatch, and it's been super great. It's a co-op action rogue like (think Hades) based on a "dark" version of general folklore (characters include red riding hood, Aladdin, Wukong, etc).
The game is fairly difficult, but really well put together. Each character has their own abilities, and there's an actual mechanical focus on teamwork in a lot of the abilities and upgrades which I really enjoy. And then you level up and get talents that can change your play style from game to game.
One unique point that I've really come to appreciate is that the game has the classic rogue like "dash" available to all characters, but you don't get invincibility frames during it. What that means is dodging enemy attacks requires actual, y'know, dodging, instead of just treating it as a "ignore damage for the next second" button like games such as Hades or Sworn do. It honestly took some time (and damage received) to get used to, but is much more satisfying. Also, each character has a "defense" ability that in addition to whatever other effect does also provide a small invuln window, so you still get the panic button, it's just on a cool down and not necessarily as mobile.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Chemslayer Link ParentAfaik it's still in "beta" and uses its own saves separate from Repentance. You can always manually backup your saves before enabling it! (Just copy the save file to desktop or wherever, and if it...Afaik it's still in "beta" and uses its own saves separate from Repentance. You can always manually backup your saves before enabling it! (Just copy the save file to desktop or wherever, and if it gets messed up just put it back)
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Chemslayer Link ParentIf you do get the final DLC (which I would highly recommend, it more than doubles the number of characters and adds tons of cool new items and paths), id heartily recommend getting the Enhanced...If you do get the final DLC (which I would highly recommend, it more than doubles the number of characters and adds tons of cool new items and paths), id heartily recommend getting the Enhanced Item Descriptions mod from the steam workshop, it shows what an item does right on the screen so you don't have to alt-tab to wikis
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Chemslayer LinkStill playing Binding of Isaac (Repentance+). Got dead god a while ago, now just playing blue baby runs (+delirium most times) with my favorite character Cain. I love this game so much, crossed...Still playing Binding of Isaac (Repentance+). Got dead god a while ago, now just playing blue baby runs (+delirium most times) with my favorite character Cain. I love this game so much, crossed 1000 hours in rebirth not too long ago (and idk how many on OG flash), might be my favorite game of all time.
Also picked up some games in the sales, and have been playing the Crash N-Sane trilogy. Given it's a pretty simple game I've decided to try and 100% it, but some of the time trials are actually real difficult and require some precise pathing & timings. Overall fun and easy time-spender, and at $4 it was worth buying over emulating IMO. (Sidenote: weirdly kind of a battery hog on Steam Deck, although tbf I may be spoiled by Isaac which sips almost nothing)
Sorry if the title is potentially inflammatory, I tried to word it as neutrally as I could.
Humble Bundle currently has a bundle of almost all of this series (missing the last volume for some reason), and I'm thinking about picking it up. I'm not necessarily wondering if it's good, but I am concerned as it is both a romance, and features children (high-schoolers in this case), and it had a new-age manga silly title. To put it bluntly, I'm not comfortable with child-based fan service, and I am curious to know if that's present in this series?
I'm relatively new to mangas, and I know that fan service is a cost of entry for the genre as a whole, and am fine tolerating some of it. Even in the case where the subject is a child, while I still don't think it needed to be included I can accept and move on (first example that comes to mind is Dandadan) so long as it's not a repeating theme and/or overly sexual or graphic. Although it's not all to do with pictures; I don't really know how to explain, but I feel there's a difference between "this character is written so the other character falls for them" vs "this character is written so you, the reader, fall for them". A too-heavy focus on the latter when the character in question is a child makes me uncomfortable.
I did my diligence, trying to Google the series including adding the words "controversy" etc, and don't see any mention of fan service, so it seems the coast is clear. But I figured I'd come ask you all, and see if there's any thoughts. This is also an excuse to post the sale (which I haven't seen on here yet), which seems like a great value for a seemingly cute and well-received series.
If you have experience with the series let me know what you think, or any other thoughts. Also down to discuss this philosophy in general, it's a complicated issue in the middle area esp wrt writing romance of child characters.