Tin_Cake's recent activity
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Comment on What game(s) do you love that you never see brought up in conversation? in ~games
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Comment on Something wrong with new game reviews (Dave the Diver) in ~games
Tin_Cake LinkIf I assume this post is coming from a place of a good faith argument, I think it's worth reminding OP of the binary aspect of Steam reviews / recommendation-based aggregate scores.. A game...If I assume this post is coming from a place of a good faith argument, I think it's worth reminding OP of the binary aspect of Steam reviews / recommendation-based aggregate scores.. A game sitting at 95% positive reviews doesn't mean that the average score of each user playing it is 9.5/10. Rather, it means that 95% of the people playing the game would recommend that others pick it up as well. Each person may have (mentally, personally) given the game a score of an 8/10, 7/10, hell, even a 6/10 or lower, but they simply felt that, given the choice between recommending the game to others or not, they chose to recommend it. We also have to remember that if somebody is buying this game, they probably have a decent idea of what they're getting themselves into, which leads to the confirmation bias of more folks who are excited about the game buying and recommending it, which brings the score up even higher since, again, it's a binary yes/no type of review.
That said, I would agree with others that this post is leaning too hard into "I don't like this game; therefore, it is a bad game" sort of mentality, of which I am not a fan.
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Comment on What’s a genre or style you wish was explored more in games? in ~games
Tin_Cake Link ParentGreat question - I somehow managed to miss them both when I was growing up! I'm going to do some digging and see if I can track down some copies to play, and will let you know what I think if I...Great question - I somehow managed to miss them both when I was growing up! I'm going to do some digging and see if I can track down some copies to play, and will let you know what I think if I can manage it. Appreciate the heads up on them; they look like a blast.
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Comment on What’s a genre or style you wish was explored more in games? in ~games
Tin_Cake Link ParentOh, excellent - really appreciate the heads up on Astrodogs. I had not heard of it but it definitely looks like it'll scratch the itch. And for sure, glad to make you hip to Whisker Squadron and...Oh, excellent - really appreciate the heads up on Astrodogs. I had not heard of it but it definitely looks like it'll scratch the itch. And for sure, glad to make you hip to Whisker Squadron and hopefully it's an awesome end product when all is said and done. Cheers!
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Comment on What are some of the symbols or rituals that make you feel more connected spiritually? in ~humanities
Tin_Cake LinkI'd consider myself an Atheist, but I'm big on silent reflection / observation per the final point in your post. I've found the most success when I tie it to a physical ritual - walking especially...I'd consider myself an Atheist, but I'm big on silent reflection / observation per the final point in your post. I've found the most success when I tie it to a physical ritual - walking especially helps, but it can be hard to get away from the bustle of the neighborhood / folks around me (we live near a decently busy area). Because of this, I'm a huge fan of seeking out local walking labyrinths, especially if I can find one in a secluded park, spiritual center or cemetery. It is immensely helpful to add a physical element to the idea of slowly shedding away the outside world as you make your way to the center of the labyrinth, where you are fully centered and in the moment and can take the time for silent reflection and meditation. Then, slowly and at your own pace, work your way back out and pick up the pieces of the "real world" again.
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Comment on What’s a genre or style you wish was explored more in games? in ~games
Tin_Cake Link ParentThat was definitely the vibe I was getting. Feels like a square/rectangle sort of thing. It's a shooter on rails, but it's not a rail shooter. At least, that's how I'm defining it in my mind....That was definitely the vibe I was getting. Feels like a square/rectangle sort of thing. It's a shooter on rails, but it's not a rail shooter. At least, that's how I'm defining it in my mind. Still looking forward to trying it out, especially with the updated treatment in Infinite. Appreciate the info!
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Comment on General product recommendations in ~life
Tin_Cake Link ParentReally appreciate the discussion. I pulled the trigger on an Aeropress last night, as well as the filter control cap that @cmccabe originally called out along with a metal filter and a few paper...Really appreciate the discussion. I pulled the trigger on an Aeropress last night, as well as the filter control cap that @cmccabe originally called out along with a metal filter and a few paper filters to compare. Looking forward to a fun weekend of experimenting with some brews and I have you all to thank for it!
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Comment on General product recommendations in ~life
Tin_Cake Link ParentThat's very helpful to know, thanks! While I like experimenting, at the end of the day, I'm not terribly picky, so it sounds like a couple of purchases followed by some experimenting is in order....That's very helpful to know, thanks! While I like experimenting, at the end of the day, I'm not terribly picky, so it sounds like a couple of purchases followed by some experimenting is in order. At the end of the day, I wind up with a bunch of coffee (of varying qualities) - can't complain too much about that. Appreciate your insight.
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Comment on General product recommendations in ~life
Tin_Cake Link ParentSubjective? Yes. But certainly not silly! This is a great outline of something I've always been hazy on and I really appreciate the insight. It helps ease me into the idea of trying...Subjective? Yes. But certainly not silly! This is a great outline of something I've always been hazy on and I really appreciate the insight. It helps ease me into the idea of trying "espresso-friendly" beans using traditional brew methods just for comparison's sake. Since you're clearly well-versed on the subject, I have to ask if you have a recommendation for a budget espresso machine, or what your thoughts are on a Mokapot by comparison.
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Comment on What’s a genre or style you wish was explored more in games? in ~games
Tin_Cake Link ParentSharing this Polygon video in case you haven't seen it - sounds like you two have a lot in common in that regard: I love note-taking games and I DON'T CARE if that sounds boringSharing this Polygon video in case you haven't seen it - sounds like you two have a lot in common in that regard: I love note-taking games and I DON'T CARE if that sounds boring
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Comment on General product recommendations in ~life
Tin_Cake Link ParentNoted! There are a few roasters that I follow (Including Wonderstate and Intelligentsia) that have offerings they dub as "ideal for espresso," like Wonderstate's Heartstrings, but it seems to be...Noted! There are a few roasters that I follow (Including Wonderstate and Intelligentsia) that have offerings they dub as "ideal for espresso," like Wonderstate's Heartstrings, but it seems to be more of a suggestion than a rule. At this point, it feels to me like I ought to just pull the trigger and try them out myself. Thanks for sharing out about it!
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Comment on What’s a genre or style you wish was explored more in games? in ~games
Tin_Cake Link ParentI recall that aspect of Orta for sure, and that's good to consider regarding Zwei. The replaying aspect is one of the things I love about games in the genre that are more similar to SF64, so no...I recall that aspect of Orta for sure, and that's good to consider regarding Zwei. The replaying aspect is one of the things I love about games in the genre that are more similar to SF64, so no worries there. Appreciate the heads up!
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Comment on General product recommendations in ~life
Tin_Cake Link ParentI recently bought an Aeropress for my brother-in-law and he's a huge fan. I enjoyed the cups he made for me as well. Curious, though - the wording in the description of the Prismo attachment (and...I recently bought an Aeropress for my brother-in-law and he's a huge fan. I enjoyed the cups he made for me as well. Curious, though - the wording in the description of the Prismo attachment (and Aeropress's Flow Control Cap) leads me to believe that it's intended to emulate "espresso-style" coffee, though per what you already said and what I've heard about Aeropress, it's not really intended for espresso. When you use these attachments, do you still use regular coffee beans and just appreciate that it's closer to an espresso-style brew, or are you actually using espresso beans when you utilize these attachments?
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Comment on What’s a genre or style you wish was explored more in games? in ~games
Tin_Cake Link ParentGreat points, I really enjoy Risk of Rain 2 as well. I would go a step further and say that I wish there were more co-op games in general that weren't just focused on PvP. Those games are fine,...Great points, I really enjoy Risk of Rain 2 as well. I would go a step further and say that I wish there were more co-op games in general that weren't just focused on PvP. Those games are fine, but I much prefer PvE co-op games like Deep Rock Galactic and the Vermintide series. Per your point, I think it's important that there's still a sense of progression when it's not the same group working together, so the roguelike aspect of it makes a big difference.
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Comment on What’s a genre or style you wish was explored more in games? in ~games
Tin_Cake Link ParentI haven't played Rez but that's good to know. Panzer Dragoon Orta - now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time. That is a standout for sure; I just totally forgot about it because I haven't...I haven't played Rez but that's good to know. Panzer Dragoon Orta - now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time. That is a standout for sure; I just totally forgot about it because I haven't played it in ages! Don't believe I ever tried Zwei, and I don't know that I've heard of either of the other two. Appreciate the callout and will have to keep my eyes open for all of them!
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Comment on What’s a genre or style you wish was explored more in games? in ~games
Tin_Cake Link ParentI'm excited for the prospect of this, but a little hesitant as well. I fear that it'll just feel like a 2.0 of Fallout 4's radiant quests. Maybe there's a way for developers to fluff out...I'm excited for the prospect of this, but a little hesitant as well. I fear that it'll just feel like a 2.0 of Fallout 4's radiant quests. Maybe there's a way for developers to fluff out handcrafted story beats with generative AI so it's a happy medium?
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Comment on What’s a genre or style you wish was explored more in games? in ~games
Tin_Cake LinkIt's not unexplored by any means, but a genre that I've found in desperate need of a solid fresh take is the rail shooter, especially non-first-person offerings. In my opinion, this subgenre...It's not unexplored by any means, but a genre that I've found in desperate need of a solid fresh take is the rail shooter, especially non-first-person offerings. In my opinion, this subgenre absolutely peaked with Star Fox 64. Even the majority of the the official Star Fox rail shooters since 64 have been letdowns in one way or another (I've still played them all lol, but they leave me wanting a tighter experience a la SF64). My biggest gripe with a lot of the post-SF64 entries are that they lack the tight core gameplay loop and the sheer replayability of SF64.
I have several games that fit this bill either in my backlog, or on my wish list (some unreleased / in early access, others I'm nervous about pulling the trigger because they don't look to be as strong of an entry given their price point). A few of the entries that have caught my eye but I haven't tried yet:
- I've heard great things about Rez Infinite, though at a passing glance, it looks to focus more on the visual spectacle and "rhythm-gaminess" and less on tight controls and focused gameplay. I also don't like that you're only in control of aiming, instead of the (seemingly) more demanding nature of SF64's balance of maneuvering your ship and dodging enemy fire / craft simultaneously. I'm sure it's fun and it's really highly regarded, but I fear it won't scratch the same itch.
- Ex-Zodiac looks like an absolute blast and is already highly regarded in its current state. From what I can tell, it's an unabashed love letter to the original Star Fox on the SNES and that's fine by me. I want to play it, but I'm a stickler about waiting for games to leave Steam Early Access before giving them a try. I already struggle to keep my backlog under control, no reason to feel obligated to play through a game twice pre- and post- 1.0 release.
- Whisker Squadron and its more streamlined little sibling Whisker Squadron: Survivor are two more immediately apparent love letters to SF64. The WS: Survivor demo was very fun, if a little light on content, so I'll be keeping my eye on these both. I have to admit that the rogue-lite aspect of them bums me out, though. I love rogue-lites and I think they have their place in the gaming ecosystem, but one of the things I love about SF64 is the arcade-like "sameness" you get in between each run and that aspect of really perfecting each level. It's like video game comfort food in that way. Additionally, a fleshed-out story offers the opportunity for bespoke story beats and voice acting, versus the inherently more randomized story beats in a rogue-lite game. And yes, I'll be the first to admit that SF64's story is totally schlocky and the voice acting is over the top... which is precisely why I love it.
Has anyone else tried these entries out, and if so, what are your thoughts on them? What about you, @jpar? Any genre or style you're hoping to see in the near future?
My mind immediately went to Monolith. Only ~1500 reviews on Steam and it's a crying shame given the amount of polish and love that has gone into it over the years. It's basically a top-down more retro-aesthetic Enter the Gungeon. A "true roguelike" in that your character doesn't get any stronger between runs, you just get better at the game (there is a shop where you can buy new unlocks to find within the run itself, but you never start with anything new). It's a little more bullet-hell than Gungeon with a focus on tighter screens and faster-paced movement but it plays similarly enough that fans of Gungeon will definitely enjoy it all the same.
I love the aesthetic, it uses the pixel visuals brilliantly. Plus, the music is track after track of certified bangers, incredible chiptunes that don't get old. The game is complete (well beyond its 1.0 release in 2017), but is still actively being updated by the developers. Speaking of the devs, they recently decided to add the DLC to the base game for free moving forward because it's generally agreed that the DLC content includes enough QoL improvements that it ought to be part of the base game.
It's actually an interesting time to get into the game because, depending on when you see my comment, the devs are in the process of changing its name to "Star of Providence" due to their concerns about a copyright on the word "Monolith." So, whether you click the above link and see "Monolith" or "Star of Providence," they are the same game, and I highly recommend you check it out!