DON_MAC's recent activity
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
DON_MAC Link ParentCitizen Sleeper is great (and the sequel is coming sometime next year)! I also really enjoyed the art style. Agree that it becomes too easy towards the tail end, and as a result of that loses a...Citizen Sleeper is great (and the sequel is coming sometime next year)! I also really enjoyed the art style.
Agree that it becomes too easy towards the tail end, and as a result of that loses a lot of the tension. To keep up some sort of difficulty they just upped the points required to complete tasks, which just turned it into a chore where I just threw all my dice into a task, went to bed and repeated. One minor thing I felt was that the game opened a bit too many separate story threads at a time, making it feel a bit disjointed at times. I think I would have enjoyed fewer but longer/deeper story threads instead.
But those are minor things, it's worth a play through, especially as a cyberpunk enjoyer!
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
DON_MAC Link ParentIt feels like The Murderbot Diaries are always recommended by people (starting with All Systems Red), so maybe you're already aware. The first four books are ~150 pages. Some time ago I read The...It feels like The Murderbot Diaries are always recommended by people (starting with All Systems Red), so maybe you're already aware. The first four books are ~150 pages.
Some time ago I read The Empress of Salt and Fortune, which I thought was pretty good as well! It's the first part of the Singing Hills Cycle (currently 5 books,) and they are all around 100 pages, some a bit above.
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Comment on Kanonenfieber - Waffenbrüder (2024) in ~music
DON_MAC Link ParentYeah, a perfect score might be a bit of a stretch, but having listened to the whole album a few times now it does seem to have some real staying power, and as of yet no song has worn out its...Yeah, a perfect score might be a bit of a stretch, but having listened to the whole album a few times now it does seem to have some real staying power, and as of yet no song has worn out its welcome and made it into skip territory. So docking a a point or a half is probably fair, but no more.
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Comment on Kanonenfieber - Waffenbrüder (2024) in ~music
DON_MAC (edited )Link ParentTheir previous release didn't really stick with me, but I've given Die Urkatastrophe a spin today and I've found it surprisingly good (given my opinion of their older album). Angrymetalguy...Their previous release didn't really stick with me, but I've given Die Urkatastrophe a spin today and I've found it surprisingly good (given my opinion of their older album). Angrymetalguy (although not AMG himself) giving it a 5/5 motivated me to give it a chance, and I'd say it well worth a listen!
Waffenbrüder, Menschenmühle (the track, not the old album) and Der Maulwurf stand out just a little bit extra, based on a first listen.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
DON_MAC Link ParentSad to hear that you didn't enjoy it! It's been some time since I played it, and while it's not the best Darksiders game I still remember having some fun with it. But maybe I'm the problem,...Sad to hear that you didn't enjoy it! It's been some time since I played it, and while it's not the best Darksiders game I still remember having some fun with it.
But maybe I'm the problem, Darksiders II didn't really stick with me (it seems to be the favorite), and I enjoyed the third one (which got a lot of critcism if I remember correctly).
But I'm also excited for whatever they teased, looking forward to some new Darksiders!
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Comment on Three months free subscription to Lightspeed Magazine in ~books
DON_MAC LinkAt the beginning of August I subscribed to Clarkesworld in a hope to broaden my reading horizons a bit (although I've been busy reading other things so I haven't yet read the August issue). I was...At the beginning of August I subscribed to Clarkesworld in a hope to broaden my reading horizons a bit (although I've been busy reading other things so I haven't yet read the August issue). I was debating between it and Lightspeed, but decided on Clarkesworld as I felt more drawn toward sci-fi than the fantasy/sci-fi mix and the general chatter online felt more postive towards Clarkesworld.
But with the price of free, trying out Lightspeed is a no-brainer! So now I have 2 (soon to be 4 I suppose) magazine issues in the reading backlog!
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
DON_MAC Link ParentIt will be turned into a TV show, and some actors have been announced! It's not stated on the Wikipedia page and I'm not entirely sure, but if I remember correctly the first season of the show...It will be turned into a TV show, and some actors have been announced! It's not stated on the Wikipedia page and I'm not entirely sure, but if I remember correctly the first season of the show will be based on All Systems Red.
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Comment on PWA Notifications in ~comp
DON_MAC LinkMaybe this is overkill for your use case, but a while ago I found this article about web notifications and how to implement them (using a service worker client-side). I haven't followed it myself...Maybe this is overkill for your use case, but a while ago I found this article about web notifications and how to implement them (using a service worker client-side). I haven't followed it myself yet (though I plan to), so I can't speak for how correct it is, but after reading it through it doesn't seem to be too complicated.
I don't have much experience with service workers either so can't really answer your questions about that or give any tips, but I thought the linked article might be helpful for you, or maybe give some inspiration at least!
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Comment on Recommendation for a Goodreads for video games? in ~games
DON_MAC Link ParentNice find, and fairly recent topic as well! I don't think using a spreadsheet makes you as a person boring! I think what I wanted to say was that I found that to be the least exciting method,...Nice find, and fairly recent topic as well!
I don't think using a spreadsheet makes you as a person boring! I think what I wanted to say was that I found that to be the least exciting method, perhaps. I also guess that using a spreadsheet puts some pressure on me to organize it properly, which feels a bit like work. But by organizing it yourself you get it exactly how you want it, so... Maybe I just need a fancy UI to make data entry more fun!
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Comment on Recommendation for a Goodreads for video games? in ~games
DON_MAC Link ParentThat was the one I was the most sold on just based on the landing page, so if it's good enough then that might be where I end up!That was the one I was the most sold on just based on the landing page, so if it's good enough then that might be where I end up!
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Recommendation for a Goodreads for video games?
Over the past year or two I've been writing "reviews" (mostly a short paragraph or two) on Goodreads for books I've read, and I enjoy looking back on what I've read and what I thought about it. So...
Over the past year or two I've been writing "reviews" (mostly a short paragraph or two) on Goodreads for books I've read, and I enjoy looking back on what I've read and what I thought about it. So I would like to do the same for the games I played, and also better organize my backlog so I know what's next to play. So I've been looking for a Goodreads-like for video games and found some alternatives, but I thought I'd check here if anyone has any recommendations.
What I'm looking for is:
- Being able to rate and review games played
- Some way to create lists (much like Goodreads "to read" shelf and the like)
So it's not a large wish list really. After a short search I've found a few sites that seem to fulfill those requirements and they look fairly equal, so I can't really decide which one to commit to (if any):
Since 95% of all games I play are on Steam, just using what's already there could work as well I guess. Collections could be used for backlog management, and the Steam reviews handle rating and review. But for some reason I'm apprehensive about rating games on Steam, probably because it feels very public and I'm doing this only for myself.
Another approach is to use an excel sheet (or similar) to keep track of everything, but it feels... Boring, I suppose? But owning your own data is always nice I suppose!
Do the people here on Tildes have any experience using any of the methods above and can recommend one? Or do you do something completely different than what I've listed here that's working well for you?
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
DON_MAC Link ParentI'm not really one to make top lists, but if I were to make one for my top games, Into the Breach would be somewhere on it. Each round feels like a perfectly solvable puzzle, it's so satisfying to...I'm not really one to make top lists, but if I were to make one for my top games, Into the Breach would be somewhere on it. Each round feels like a perfectly solvable puzzle, it's so satisfying to play. It feels very slept on, at least in my circles, and especially compared to FTL which a lot of people rave about (but which never really captured me).
Admittedly I haven't played it in a long time (and haven't tried Advanced Edition) but I still think fondly of my time spent with the game.
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Comment on A pill to make exercise obsolete (2017) in ~health
DON_MAC Link ParentEquilibrium is the movie you're thinking of! (unless there's another one with the same plot)Equilibrium is the movie you're thinking of! (unless there's another one with the same plot)
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
DON_MAC Link ParentYes, I agree about Edgerunners! (I did mean the Netflix show) I have a soft spot for cyberpunk as well. Shadowrun (the games) is something I've seen around many many times before but never engaged...Yes, I agree about Edgerunners! (I did mean the Netflix show)
I have a soft spot for cyberpunk as well. Shadowrun (the games) is something I've seen around many many times before but never engaged with, so maybe that's something to look into next time I'm looking for a new cyberpunk experience then!
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
DON_MAC Link ParentI've been playing Cyberpunk as well for the past month, having wanted more of the world after watching Edgerunners. I agree that the world is a bit flat at times. Edgerunners had me more immersed...I've been playing Cyberpunk as well for the past month, having wanted more of the world after watching Edgerunners.
I agree that the world is a bit flat at times. Edgerunners had me more immersed in Night City than the game has managed to thus far. I haven't had the issue with NPC T-posing though, I think that would have ruined the experience quite a bit for me.
The gunplay/gameplay mechanics feel good to me as well, it's nothing revolutionary or anything, but it does the job and it's satisfying to blast some gonks and send some quickhacks their way. I didn't like how the melee felt during the tutorial though, so I've avoided that as much as possible.
I think where Cyberpunk 2077 shines for me is in it's storytelling, especially in the more directed stories. Some of the major sidequests had me very invested (don't want to mention too much here to spoil your enjoyment) and that's what has had me coming back to play more.
Oh yeah, and driving - I think most cars handle like crap. Another comment mentioned that motorcycles are easier to drive and I agree, so I mostly drive a motorcycle if I need to get somewhere and can't/don't want to fast travel.
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Comment on Game recommendations, specifically (round 2) in ~games
DON_MAC Link ParentUnicorn Overlord is coming out today, and the trailers gave me some Fire Emblem-vibes. But I haven't played Path of Radiance, so not sure how it compares. But it might be worth checking the...Unicorn Overlord is coming out today, and the trailers gave me some Fire Emblem-vibes. But I haven't played Path of Radiance, so not sure how it compares. But it might be worth checking the reviews if you have any of the consoles (looks like there will not be a PC port).
There's also Wargroove, but I think it's closer to Advance Wars than Fire Emblem, so might not be a good fit for you.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
DON_MAC Link ParentYeah, I've heard the same! Haven't gotten far enough in the story yet to unlock it, so no chance to see for myself yet.Yeah, I've heard the same! Haven't gotten far enough in the story yet to unlock it, so no chance to see for myself yet.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
DON_MAC LinkPlayed through Hell Pie which I though was a mechanically fairly fun and decent platformer, but thematically, I was not impressed. Leaned very hard into the gross aspect and missed the fun, I'd...Played through Hell Pie which I though was a mechanically fairly fun and decent platformer, but thematically, I was not impressed. Leaned very hard into the gross aspect and missed the fun, I'd say.
During last week I watched Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. I thought it was amazing, but the ending broke me. I needed a few days to recover emotionally. I'm usually not that affected by the media I consume (perhaps in the moment, but rarely more), but after the ending I just walked around sighing at home when I thought about it.
In the end I felt that I wasn't entirely ready to leave Night City, so decided to get Cyberpunk 2077! I've been wanting to play it for some time, and with 2.0 being out for some time and there being a sale, it felt like the right time. So far it's missing the magic that I felt from Edgerunners, but I'm ~5 hours so it's too early to say anything definitive yet.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
DON_MAC LinkRecently finished up Expeditions: Rome. I think it has quite a few smaller issues that annoyed me a bit while playing through, but overall I had a good time with it. The XCOM-like combat was fun,...Recently finished up Expeditions: Rome.
I think it has quite a few smaller issues that annoyed me a bit while playing through, but overall I had a good time with it. The XCOM-like combat was fun, and the "overworld" parts of conquering some region using your legion was passable, and the story was engaging enough. I think my biggest issue was that the game play progression (but using your characters and the legion) mostly consisted of "number get bigger".
I also think there was a bit too much waiting. If you want to craft a new weapon, or heal one of your characters, or refill your tactical items, you have to wait for an in-game day or two, and that means just standing in place and letting time pass (as I don't want to do a mission without my equipment and/or fully healed characters). So there was a lot of enter camp -> craft thing/heal character/assign some research -> leave camp -> wait for some time -> enter camp to get equipment/character.
Some of the larger missions tended to have quite some wait time as well, as you watched both the enemy and your allies do all their movement across the map. Maybe I missed a setting for speeding that up, but it got boring quickly to watch NPCs shuffle around the map, but at the same time you want to know what they're doing so you can respond properly... Mostly an issue in the missions at the end of acts, other missions were usually small enough that it wasn't a problem.
There is also a loot system in place, which I mostly ignored as I had more unique items than I could equip my characters with, so all the standard equipment got dismantled for salvage.
It's easy to focus on the bad parts, but I played the game for 44 hours (completing every quest I came across), so there is bound to be some friction I guess. I think it could have benefited from some more focused game play parts, it feels a bit wide and shallow at times, but I had pretty fun with it anyways, both game play and story!
I have neglected my steam deck this past month, so now I'm playing Roguebook on it. It can be boiled down to a Slay the Spire-like, but with enough twists to make it different. The map traversal is different, your party consists of two heroes, so position matters, and swapping places can have effects etc. I was never super deep into StS, but liked it enough, so my intent is to kill the final boss a few times and then move on, but we'll see!
I've been tasked with providing the bread for christmas, so I did a trial bake of an untested recipe to see if it was good enough to bring and to work out any potential kinks. It turned out pretty great! Oven was a bit hot, so will probably bring the temperature down a bit and bake for 10 - 15 minutes longer, but otherwise it was a success.
It's a rye and wheat bread, using porter instead of water as the liquid, spiced with bitter orange peel, cloves, fennel seeds, anise seeds & caraway seeds and sweetened with some syrup. The recipe produced two loaves, so in one of the loaves I added some raisins (loved by some, hated by others). It also called for coating the loaves with a syrup/water mixture before baking, which I forget, but they got a very nice crust anyway, so it was probably not needed.
So I'll probably have to do (at least) two more batches of this bread, and possible some other bread as well, as I know some people are not into the darker variety. I have a pretty good (and very simple) recipe for a wheat/durum bread that's been a favorite as of late.