Chemslayer's recent activity
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Comment on Humble Bundle: Martha Wells’ Murderbot and more in ~books
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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)
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Comment on Humble Comics Bundle: Return of the Leading Ladies by Image Comics in ~comics
Chemslayer LinkThank you for posting this! I already bought the first 7 of Saga, but even just the last 3 for $24 is a big savings, and a lot of the rest of these seem really interesting. Sidenote: why are...Thank you for posting this! I already bought the first 7 of Saga, but even just the last 3 for $24 is a big savings, and a lot of the rest of these seem really interesting.
Sidenote: why are comics (and these) so unoptimized size-wise? I was able to compress the file size of every book in this bundle by 80% without a noticeable change in image quality. Being 5x bigger than they need to be seems bizarre for everyone involved, but maybe there's something I don't know
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Comment on What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime
Chemslayer LinkWrapped up the (currently available) manga for Dandadan, and glad to say it's very good! With one exception/warning about the very first chapter (which I talked about last week) the rest of the...Wrapped up the (currently available) manga for Dandadan, and glad to say it's very good! With one exception/warning about the very first chapter (which I talked about last week) the rest of the series has been very cool and fun and honestly cute! I do appreciate how it leans into slight horror themes on occasion too.
Started SpyxFamily, only part-way through volume 1 so far but I've very much enjoyed the hijinks so far
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Comment on What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime
Chemslayer LinkStarted Dandadan manga, not really knowing much besides that it's been trending lately. There's a particular scene in the very first chapter that almost put me off of it (cmon, man, why a child?)....Started Dandadan manga, not really knowing much besides that it's been trending lately. There's a particular scene in the very first chapter that almost put me off of it (cmon, man, why a child?). I googled if the series stayed "horny" the entire time, and results seem to imply it was all front loaded and gets much more tame quickly.
Already owning the first volume anyway, I decided I'd at least finish that and see how it is, and I'm glad I did. It's a very cute and funny comic, and while there is a good amount of immature jokes about sex/genitals (which are handled in a fine and funny way imo) there hasn't been any level of graphic-ness beyond that first chapter so far. I've only just finished volume 2 as a disclaimer, but so far I'd recommend the series, just with the one warning for the start
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Chemslayer Link ParentI also didn't realize this, but you gotta play the game 3 times (New Game+ and ++) to get all the best story hits. And it's worth it!I also didn't realize this, but you gotta play the game 3 times (New Game+ and ++) to get all the best story hits. And it's worth it!
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Chemslayer LinkFinally picked up No Mans Sky. The most recent update added fishing, and I love fishing, so I figured it was a good time as any to get in. I stayed away from the game for a long time, as while I...Finally picked up No Mans Sky. The most recent update added fishing, and I love fishing, so I figured it was a good time as any to get in.
I stayed away from the game for a long time, as while I love scifi and exploration, I hate "make your own fun" type games (like Minecraft). I need direction and something to do besides build a cool base.
Well, turns out there's so much to do, maybe too much haha. I'm still on the initial story thread to find a missing guy, and there's also so many technologies to gather resources for, and so many other systems that I've barely even seen or scratched the surface of. 9 hours in and still enjoying my time.
As far as fishing though.... I can't really figure out what it's for? I can catch some fish, but they don't seem to have a use besides selling. The fishing mini game (if you can even call it that) is crazy simple too, literally just press trigger at the right time, so that's a little disappointing, I would've preferred something closer to stardew valley. If anyone knows a way to make fishing more fulfilling please let me know!
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Chemslayer LinkI left a lukewarm comment about it a few weeks ago, so I wanted to come back and say: Armored Core VI improved drastically with more play. The game is intended to play through new game+ and ++,...I left a lukewarm comment about it a few weeks ago, so I wanted to come back and say: Armored Core VI improved drastically with more play. The game is intended to play through new game+ and ++, and introduces new content, story, and twists within. It also uses every system and side game to add to the experience which I really enjoyed. And playing the same missions and seeing your skills and equipment improved is massively gratifying. I'm glad I kept giving it a proper go, it takes some time to liftoff but it's an incredibly fun and fast-paced mech game with so much experimentation and mastery to be had!
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Chemslayer LinkArmored Core VI! Had it in my interests for a while and got it on sale. It's... Okay? The movement is fun, and mastering bosses can feel satisfying some of the time. But the regular goons are all...Armored Core VI! Had it in my interests for a while and got it on sale. It's... Okay? The movement is fun, and mastering bosses can feel satisfying some of the time. But the regular goons are all fodder, and some of the bosses just come down to getting lucky with your dodges it feels like. And the story so far is nothing to write home about, I'm about 80% of the way through and despite my love of scifi and robots I'm just not compelled by the generic feeling plot (weird space substance, morally evil corpos want them, you're a really cool and strong guy for no real given reason!)
I still enjoy it, and I'll finish it, and I love the robots and the cool tech. But I guess I was hoping for more
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Chemslayer LinkBought the Hexcells complete bundle for $4 based on a recommendation from the gaming sales thread, and have been playing it as a bedtime game on the deck. I'm nearly done with Hexcells+, and both...Bought the Hexcells complete bundle for $4 based on a recommendation from the gaming sales thread, and have been playing it as a bedtime game on the deck. I'm nearly done with Hexcells+, and both have been fun so far. The puzzles are relatively simple but difficult, and mostly fair (I've only had one where I had to look up a guide and then "ugh"'d when the solution was to use the "# remaining" count in the top right to deduce stuff, which hasn't been relevant before). Overall def worth the $4, nice change of pace from sudoku while hitting a lot of the same brain energy
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
Chemslayer LinkFour books! First, for my book club I'm reading Aliens: Phalanx. It's basically "what if aliens invaded a bronze-age society"? I only have familiarity with Alien from pop-culture (I haven't seen...Four books!
First, for my book club I'm reading Aliens: Phalanx. It's basically "what if aliens invaded a bronze-age society"? I only have familiarity with Alien from pop-culture (I haven't seen any of the movies), but it's been an enjoyable read. I'm about 60% of the way through, and the pacing has been enjoyable so far but I'm unsure how they'll wrap up the (perceived) plot threads with less than half remaining.
For my "Drama" book I'm on The Dark Tower series book 3, The Wastelands. Good ol western adventure, Stephen King's writing is enjoyable and the plot has been fun and mysterious so far.
For my "silly" book I'm reading the 8-Bit Theatre 20th Anniversary Script Book. For those not familiar, 8-bit theater was a long-running silly sprite comic from the mid aughts, which I read at the time. For the 20th anniversary, in lieu of releasing an anthology (because the sprites are 100% definitely copyright violations), instead it's a script of each of the comic panels. The author also provides lots of commentary and meta-jokes, to the point where I think it's actually more enjoyable reading it this way than the actual comics.
Finally, for my "serious" book I'm reading How to Be Antiracist. It's been eye-opening, and as a white guy I appreciate the perspectives it gives me of other people's experiences, so that I can better empathize and overall just develop myself.
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Comment on If you had up to US$250 to get one person into a hobby you're interested in, what would you do to get them started? in ~hobbies
Chemslayer Link ParentPre release is also fun, because it's so casual and you get that satisfaction of opening booster packs and finding new cards. For brand new players in my experience it has the chance to be...Pre release is also fun, because it's so casual and you get that satisfaction of opening booster packs and finding new cards. For brand new players in my experience it has the chance to be slightly overwhelming with having to read a bunch of new cards and then put them into a cohesive deck on a timeframe. But an at-home pre release (where you can waive the time restrictions) or as a follow-up once they've learned and got used to some basic Magic gameplay prerelease is a great idea. (We can spend the $40 from our remaining $150!)
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