Monte_Kristo's recent activity

  1. Comment on What short book series is worth more than its page count? in ~books

    Monte_Kristo
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    I see that others have already brought up the easiest way to cheat this metric, by recommending comic books. They convey ideas in a much more direct manner. Less words, but still a lot going on....

    I see that others have already brought up the easiest way to cheat this metric, by recommending comic books. They convey ideas in a much more direct manner. Less words, but still a lot going on. Which is why my pick would be Calvin and Hobbes. Comic strips are the shortest story format I know of, but are in no ways lesser in being able to make me smile.

    4 votes
  2. Comment on What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime

    Monte_Kristo
    Link Parent
    Thriller Bark is a smaller arc sorta wedge between two larger overarching sagas. I like it, and think there is some really good moments in it, but I think a lot of people view it as one of the...

    Thriller Bark is a smaller arc sorta wedge between two larger overarching sagas. I like it, and think there is some really good moments in it, but I think a lot of people view it as one of the lesser arcs.

    The next arc absolutely picks up though. As it feeds into what a lot of people consider one of the highest points of the series.

    5 votes
  3. Comment on The Game Awards nominees 2024: Controversially, DLCs/expansions can now compete for GOTY in ~games

    Monte_Kristo
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    Nominating a (good) expansion for GotY is a choice for sure. They've already got awards for "community support" and "ongoing", which really should be covering DLC already, but whatever. The most...

    Nominating a (good) expansion for GotY is a choice for sure. They've already got awards for "community support" and "ongoing", which really should be covering DLC already, but whatever.

    The most offensive nominations to me are Multiversus for fighting game of the year, and Arcane for best adaptation.

    Multiversus already won fighting game of the year two years ago for its early access release. It getting nominated for its full release, which has greatly underperformed, is an absolute joke. There were other games that easily could have been nominated instead.

    Arcane is ridiculous in the opposite direction. Instead of being something old, it's something that's not even (fully) out yet. It's very good so far, and will be completely out by the time of the awards, but it's literally two weeks old. Zero reason an incomplete season 2 should be here instead of a full season getting the nomination next year.

    4 votes
  4. Comment on How self-driving cars will destroy cities in ~transport

    Monte_Kristo
    Link Parent
    That's nonsense, tons of people asked for them. A lot of people who were invested in the idea no longer want them for a myriad of reasons, but the concept is super agreeable. Much like flying...

    That's nonsense, tons of people asked for them. A lot of people who were invested in the idea no longer want them for a myriad of reasons, but the concept is super agreeable. Much like flying cars, it's a science fiction concept of an easier, more convenient society. Some real Jetsons stuff.

    Walkable neighborhoods, and sophisticated mass transit systems are the results of a realistic approach to a sustainable future, but those ideas where not the cultural default to what people imagine the future to look like.

    10 votes
  5. Comment on Breaking down my dislike of strategy games | Semi-Ramblomatic in ~games

    Monte_Kristo
    Link Parent
    Fog of war on a desert map, in the most wyvern heavy game.

    Fog of war on a desert map, in the most wyvern heavy game.

    1 vote
  6. Comment on Breaking down my dislike of strategy games | Semi-Ramblomatic in ~games

    Monte_Kristo
    Link Parent
    The market's options for XCOM like games being XCOM and the Mario Rabbids games (which I love) is both fucked up, but also really funny.

    The market's options for XCOM like games being XCOM and the Mario Rabbids games (which I love) is both fucked up, but also really funny.

    10 votes
  7. Comment on Breaking down my dislike of strategy games | Semi-Ramblomatic in ~games

    Monte_Kristo
    Link Parent
    Well, Binding Blade found other ways to keep it annoying.

    Well, Binding Blade found other ways to keep it annoying.

    1 vote
  8. Comment on Breaking down my dislike of strategy games | Semi-Ramblomatic in ~games

    Monte_Kristo
    Link
    Him musing that he may dislike Fire Emblem because it doesn't have fog of war on every map is a very funny idea to me. It's for free the most complained about part of the games that have it, and I...

    Him musing that he may dislike Fire Emblem because it doesn't have fog of war on every map is a very funny idea to me. It's for free the most complained about part of the games that have it, and I can't think of easier way to alienate the entire fanbase than making a game that did have it on every map.

    4 votes
  9. Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games

    Monte_Kristo
    Link Parent
    Looks like Greninja, plays like Sheik.

    Looks like Greninja, plays like Sheik.

  10. Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games

    Monte_Kristo
    Link
    I played Rivals of Aether 2. It's a platform fighter (a smash bros clone), with its own unique cast of characters instead of using existing IP. I'm really enjoying it. Basically all non smash...

    I played Rivals of Aether 2. It's a platform fighter (a smash bros clone), with its own unique cast of characters instead of using existing IP. I'm really enjoying it. Basically all non smash platform fighters are either really ugly, or feel bad as platformers. Rivals both looks slick, and feels slick. It's got a good soundtrack too. The only drawback is that most of the player base feels pretty hardcore. If you've got equally casual friends to play it with it's great, but I can see someone fresh having a rough time online.

    4 votes
  11. Comment on What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime

    Monte_Kristo
    Link
    So this past week I found out about Bug Ego. It is written by ONE of One Punch Man and Mob Psycho 100 fame. It's like a weird mystery/horror series about two high schooler students finding a...

    So this past week I found out about Bug Ego. It is written by ONE of One Punch Man and Mob Psycho 100 fame. It's like a weird mystery/horror series about two high schooler students finding a notebook that tells them about small "bugs" in reality. The weird thing is that it seems like the first chapter came out like a year ago, and I've seen zero discussion about it online. His other currently running series Versus isn't nearly as popular as his other works, but still definitely has a following. It's weird to see that he just had another one out there. Maybe because it feels very different from all of his other stuff.

    4 votes
  12. Comment on I bought a bike. What next? in ~hobbies

    Monte_Kristo
    Link Parent
    OP said they already bought a bell.

    OP said they already bought a bell.

    2 votes
  13. Comment on I bought a bike. What next? in ~hobbies

    Monte_Kristo
    (edited )
    Link
    Level 1 stuff -helmet (preferably a mips one) -bottle cage Level 2 -mirror -small handle bar or seat bags to carry a repair kit -lights -depending on the weather in your area you should also...

    Level 1 stuff
    -helmet (preferably a mips one)
    -bottle cage

    Level 2
    -mirror
    -small handle bar or seat bags to carry a repair kit
    -lights
    -depending on the weather in your area you should also consider fenders to not get covered in mid.

    That's everything you should ever need for very casual riding for short distances. Anything beyond that is for if you have specific use cases.

    If you are trying to use the bike as a tool, or as a sort of car alternative you should consider additional storage on the bike. Handle bar baskets, rear tire racks, and panniers bags.

    If you are trying to use the bike as a new form of fitness, you may want to get some cycling clothes. At the very least some shorts. Your butt will hurt less over time no matter what, but the combination of proper shorts, a comfy seat, and a maybe a suspension seat post will keep you in the saddle a lot longer. There's no nobility in suffering here. If fitness is the goal I'd also recommend getting properly fitted at a bike shop, as proper seat and handlebar height are actually really important for bike ergonomics. I'd also recommend getting Strava or some other ride tracking app.

    The last thing I would recommend is a safety feature, but it is a lot more expensive than everything else, so I don't know how badly you'd want it. It's the Garmin Varia which is a taillight that has a built in radar that will notify you (either by phone or by on bike computer) if cars are approaching from behind. It's like an insane game changer for your peace of mind and overall safety.

    7 votes
  14. Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games

    Monte_Kristo
    Link Parent
    I actually really enjoyed AC6's story. It's very simple, but I would not call it bad. Plus the voice acting is pretty fantastic.

    I actually really enjoyed AC6's story. It's very simple, but I would not call it bad. Plus the voice acting is pretty fantastic.

    2 votes
  15. Comment on What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime

    Monte_Kristo
    Link Parent
    Feel like that it the reverse order. Devilman Crybaby seems less accessible up front than The Tatami Galaxy. It also has way more baggage, and thus requires more insight on the industry, because...

    Feel like that it the reverse order. Devilman Crybaby seems less accessible up front than The Tatami Galaxy. It also has way more baggage, and thus requires more insight on the industry, because it's a remake of something that is both very old and very influential.

    1 vote
  16. Comment on Asmongold's Twitch channel temporarily banned following racist rant about Palestinians in ~games

    Monte_Kristo
    Link Parent
    It's literally why the word "grifter" has been used so much when describing right wingers.

    It's literally why the word "grifter" has been used so much when describing right wingers.

    4 votes
  17. Comment on What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime

    Monte_Kristo
    Link Parent
    Since you like Nichijou, you should keep your eyes peeled for CITY. It's the series Keiichi Arawi wrote after Nichijou, and it provides a very similar style of humor. Nichijou was originally a...

    Since you like Nichijou, you should keep your eyes peeled for CITY. It's the series Keiichi Arawi wrote after Nichijou, and it provides a very similar style of humor. Nichijou was originally a 4-koma while all of CITY was long form, so I prefer reading CITY, but both are great.

    3 votes
  18. Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games

    Monte_Kristo
    Link
    I beat the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection and really enjoyed it. I've only become a fan of the franchise with these recent collections, and this is my third one. I still need to play the...

    I beat the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection and really enjoyed it. I've only become a fan of the franchise with these recent collections, and this is my third one. I still need to play the Apollo collection.

    I think the investigation style of walking around the "map" of the crime scene instead of jumping between still images improves the pace of the game. The format of not bouncing between the crime scene and the courtroom also feels more logically consistent, and more in line with a traditional whodunit. The courtroom is part of the charm though, so I would still want it in any expansions to the series.

    Writing wise it was pretty good. I don't think investigations 1 is bad, but 2 is just clearly better in basically every regard. Eustace is a much more fun foil to Edgeworth than Lang is. The fan service and callbacks to the older games is a lot more interesting (Gregory Edgeworth compared to Wendy Oldbag is more lopsided than your game of mind chess vs Larry). Both games have a larger mystery that runs the length of the game, but 2's is so much more intricate and is tied to a more unique thematic concept for an Ace Attorney game. Investigations 1 is sorta just an Ace Attorney game, but 2 provides actual growth for Miles as a character. Also, I don't know if I would say the final boss is my favorite in the franchise, they felt the most final bossy out of any in the franchise.

    1 vote
  19. Comment on What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime

    Monte_Kristo
    Link
    So I've been reading the most recent volume of Touge Oni. It's a series that pretty much only exists in a volume format, as the fan scanlators use the Japanese volume releases. It's a great series...

    So I've been reading the most recent volume of Touge Oni. It's a series that pretty much only exists in a volume format, as the fan scanlators use the Japanese volume releases. It's a great series that mixes Shinto mythology with science fiction concepts.

    5 votes
  20. Comment on Ubisoft needs the next ‘Assassin’s Creed’ to be a hit in ~games

    Monte_Kristo
    (edited )
    Link Parent
    I'm guessing Ghost of Yotei is gonna come out much later into 2025, but them even being in the same media cycle makes it rough for Ubisoft. No sympathy from me though. Even if you ignore all of...

    I'm guessing Ghost of Yotei is gonna come out much later into 2025, but them even being in the same media cycle makes it rough for Ubisoft. No sympathy from me though. Even if you ignore all of Ubisoft's other fuck ups, Ghost of Tsushima was the game Ubisoft should have made a long time ago. This is just complacency catching up to them.

    9 votes