Wes's recent activity
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Comment on Guild Wars 3 officially revealed in ~games
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Comment on Tildes Book Club discussion - May 2026 - Pnin by Vladimir Nabokov in ~books
Wes Link ParentThank you for saying so. That's totally fair. I think I've also been hesitant to read others' reviews/critiques of our book picks for fear of it colouring my own interpretation. I don't want to...Thank you for saying so.
I'm sure there are essays one could read but my experience with academic criticism is that the author's questions and priorities are frequently not mine.
That's totally fair. I think I've also been hesitant to read others' reviews/critiques of our book picks for fear of it colouring my own interpretation. I don't want to accidentally inherit someone else's views and present it as my own, at least during the active discussion phase.
Of course, I'm more than happy to read other members' thoughts. They've given me a lot of insights that I otherwise would have missed.
By the way, I plan to return to my own reading list for the next few months, so I likely won't be keeping up during that time. I just don't have the bandwidth to manage both. So I'm wishing you and the other readers the best during that time.
I've also gone and added discussion links to my comment in the schedule thread, should that be helpful to anybody.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club discussion - May 2026 - Pnin by Vladimir Nabokov in ~books
Wes Link ParentWell done on re-reading things with fresh eyes. I wish I had the gumption to do so, as I'm sure there's much to pick up a second time through. I agree with much of what you've said. The story does...Well done on re-reading things with fresh eyes. I wish I had the gumption to do so, as I'm sure there's much to pick up a second time through.
I agree with much of what you've said. The story does weave vastly different settings and styles, often without marking the changes. I had to re-read the introduction to Victor's dream multiple times to even understand what was going on, as it felt like I was reading a completely different book.
It's certainly a rich and layered story. I expect I would need to read a number of essays to fully unpack it. I feel I only touched on the surface with my own comment above, and the imagery and use of language goes much further.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Conclusion and Recap in ~games
Wes Link ParentIt was great having you again, Danny. And as much as it galls me, I can admire your dedication to leaving a donut in your card. Writing is definitely hard, and I'm still figuring it out after...It was great having you again, Danny. And as much as it galls me, I can admire your dedication to leaving a donut in your card.
Writing is definitely hard, and I'm still figuring it out after numerous events. Sometimes the words flow, and other times I struggle to say anything meaningful at all. But I do like how taking notes, and trying to formulate them into a grander opinion, does often focus my consideration of the game I'm playing.
Granted, sometimes I just want to enjoy a thing without a critical view. Just as I don't always want to write a report after reading a book! But sharing those thoughts with others, and seeing if they have their own opinions to contrast, can bring a lot of unique value too.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Conclusion and Recap in ~games
Wes Link ParentHey! That's only mostly true. @kfwyre also helped. He deserves at least one third of the blame for that targeted vote. I wouldn't be surprised if he planned this whole thing from the beginning....It's all @Wes's fault.
Hey! That's only mostly true. @kfwyre also helped. He deserves at least one third of the blame for that targeted vote. I wouldn't be surprised if he planned this whole thing from the beginning.
Besides, I was only helping you. Nudging you in the right direction. Preparing you for your true destiny. To eventually embrace the CHAOTIC WILL OF MOTIVATION, and STRIKE FEAR into the hearts of all backlogged titles.
Ahem.
Yes, it was a rather productive event. Well done on the custom card. I'm always glad to see folks editing the game rules as I originally envisioned.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Conclusion and Recap in ~games
Wes Link ParentShould you be interested in creating any meme cards in the future, the documentation for category lists is available here. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions!Should you be interested in creating any meme cards in the future, the documentation for category lists is available here. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions!
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Conclusion and Recap in ~games
Wes Link ParentThanks again for participating! Even if it was from the shadows. I like the game pairings. That's a fun way to do it. Teechnically it's already possible using custom category lists! JSON code {...- Exemplary
Thanks again for participating! Even if it was from the shadows.
I like the game pairings. That's a fun way to do it.
I hope @Wes doesn't further develop things for this weird edge case.
Teechnically it's already possible using custom category lists!
JSON code
{ "version": 1, "name": "Stealthy Phoenix", "description": "Time for sneaking.", "gamerules": { "star": "disabled" }, "categories": [ { "name": "Stealth" }, { "name": "Stealth" }, { "name": "Stealth" }, { "name": "Stealth" }, { "name": "Stealth" }, { "name": "Stealth" }, { "name": "Stealth" }, { "name": "Stealth" }, { "name": "Stealth" } ] }Save as
stealthy.jsonand import on the Bingo frontpage.This whole thing is data-driven, baby! But I won't deprive you of your leet skills in editing localStorage either.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Conclusion and Recap in ~games
Wes Link ParentI played this for last year's event, so I'm a club member, too! spoils I completely disregarded the girl's interests while writing the poems, instead focusing on trying to create a coherent theme....I played this for last year's event, so I'm a club member, too!
spoils
I completely disregarded the girl's interests while writing the poems, instead focusing on trying to create a coherent theme. My first poem was about Summer! I was crushed when my work was criticized. I was too distraught to notice who I'd begun to woo.
As for the festival, I ended up baking with Nat. I kept trying to check on Sayori, though, since the game had provided plenty of red flags for her by that point. That was when things starting going off the rails, and not much romancing was to be had thereafter.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Conclusion and Recap in ~games
Wes LinkAnother backlog, successfully burned. I'm kind of blown away by the number of games that everybody played this time around. I thought I was motivated, but I have been humbled! Major respect to...Another backlog, successfully burned.
I'm kind of blown away by the number of games that everybody played this time around. I thought I was motivated, but I have been humbled! Major respect to those putting out 30+ games in one month! Now that's channeling the backlog burner spirit.
For those on Team Mellow, my former allies, I must commend your skills. What you lack in quantity has more than been made up for in your thoughtfulness and care. I concede now that there may be value in gentle reflection after all.
As for me and my backlog, I've since gone back and completed a few titles, and decided to officially drop others. Here's my final list.
Games by Status
Finished (8)
- Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom
- Agent Intercept
- Pseudoregalia
- Escape First Alchemist
- theBlu (all 3 minutes of it)
- Haimrik
- Quern - Undying Thoughts
- Pinball Spire
Dropped (5)
- Library Of Ruina
- The Ball
- Hive Jump
- pureya (no end, but didn't unlock everything)
- Dreadhalls
Bugged (2)
Ongoing (4)
I did actually end up playing more than I expected (leading to a bit of an, erm, betrayal). I was worried I'd be unable to participate, as I suffered some nerve damage in my arm earlier this year, so my ability to game has been diminished. Thankfully, I was still able to take part, though I focused mostly on controller-based games this time around. So lots of racing games and platformers. Hopefully next time I'll be able to mix it up a bit more.
But as always, it was a ton of fun, and I'm left with a smattering of games that I've newly discovered. I've been itching to get back into Hades and Tinykin, both of which I greatly enjoyed. I also may have added more games to my backlog from your excellent recommendations.
The rivalry this time around was a ton of fun. I love this event, and I'm thrilled that it's starting to gain its own culture. But whether motivated or mellow, I want to thank you all for participating.
And of course, my deepest thanks for our affable host and emcee, @kfwyre. You're a genuine treasure -- even if you did find me guilty.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 5(ish) Discussion in ~games
Wes Link ParentYou would be found guilty by a jury of your peers.I'm not beating these allegations am I?
You would be found guilty by a jury of your peers.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 5(ish) Discussion in ~games
Wes Link ParentAh, I knew that one looked familiar. @JCPhoenix played it back in 2024. I thought it looked really good!Ah, I knew that one looked familiar. @JCPhoenix played it back in 2024. I thought it looked really good!
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 5(ish) Discussion in ~games
Wes Link ParentThere will indeed be a recap post probably later today. Great progress this month! Especially as you played so many titles from others Tilderinos. That must feel great to cross off. I did miss...There will indeed be a recap post probably later today.
Great progress this month! Especially as you played so many titles from others Tilderinos. That must feel great to cross off.
I did miss what the trailing periods were for in your card. I'm guessing they're ongoing/incomplete games, since most of the finished titles don't have them. It's a good idea to add markers to the card. I'd not thought of that.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 5(ish) Discussion in ~games
Wes Link ParentYou'd like Mountain. It has a similar, meditative feel that you seem to gel with. Really solid write-up. My thoughts on Proteus were not as strong. I felt I neither liked nor disliked the game....You'd like Mountain. It has a similar, meditative feel that you seem to gel with.
Really solid write-up. My thoughts on Proteus were not as strong. I felt I neither liked nor disliked the game. The dynamic music was definitely the most interesting part to me, and I liked trying to figure out what activated the different notes.
I think it's the kind of game I could really enjoy if I were in a very specific mood. Perhaps a slightly mind-altered mood, as Keef suggested. When at my most ADHDiest, though, I'd have less than the required patience.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 5(ish) Discussion in ~games
Wes Link ParentYou've had some incredible consistency in these posts. Between these titles and Nexuiz, I'm loving all the retro throwbacks, too. I'd have to agree that cheese is not a "topping". It's integral to...You've had some incredible consistency in these posts. Between these titles and Nexuiz, I'm loving all the retro throwbacks, too.
I'd have to agree that cheese is not a "topping". It's integral to the structure of the pizza. Yes, there may be specialty pizzas that replace the cheese with something else, but those have specific names that differentiate them. They do not fit the Platonic ideal of pizza.
You started this month with 439 unplayed games. You've already gone through 7% of them. That's crazy impressive!
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 5(ish) Discussion in ~games
Wes Link ParentCriminy. This has to be some kind of record. Congrats on filling out both your bingo card and the overload meter! You've truly made tremendous progress on your backlog, and have highlighted tons...Criminy. This has to be some kind of record. Congrats on filling out both your bingo card and the overload meter! You've truly made tremendous progress on your backlog, and have highlighted tons of unique and interesting titles.
THIS IS THE POWER OF MOTIVATION. DO YOU UNDERSTAND NOW??
I actually considered playing It Takes a War this time around, but didn't quite get there. Maybe next time.
The second game also looks interesting. I get the sense of it mirroring Spec Ops: The Line in asking ethical questions of the player.
I think part of this is that it's the least Deck- and Linux-friendly of the options.
Okay, I'm not going to leave a separate comment just for this, but I love suspensive hyphenation. It's elusive, yet sometimes the perfect tool to tighten up a sentence.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 5(ish) Discussion in ~games
Wes Link ParentThe Let's Plays are back! Halfway definitely felt very Signalis to me, too. More tactical, I suppose, but thematically similar. Symmetry is pretty, and I dig the minimalist art... but I don't...The Let's Plays are back!
Halfway definitely felt very Signalis to me, too. More tactical, I suppose, but thematically similar.
Symmetry is pretty, and I dig the minimalist art... but I don't think I'd enjoy it either. And yeah, per your video, the labelling on the difficulty levels was beyond confusing.
Poor Desmond. More useful in death than in life.
Coffee Talk was a nice way to close out the month. It was indeed very mellow, and I can understand the allure of having that public space -- especially in times when we're feeling more isolated than ever.
Nice roundup of titles!
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 5(ish) Discussion in ~games
Wes Link ParentNice work on finishing the full game! I think the "Double Fine Adventure" was the very first thing I ever Kickstarted. No regrets about it, Double Fine delivered. I'm glad you had fun, and found...Nice work on finishing the full game! I think the "Double Fine Adventure" was the very first thing I ever Kickstarted. No regrets about it, Double Fine delivered.
I'm glad you had fun, and found some titles you enjoyed.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 5(ish) Discussion in ~games
Wes Link ParentI did actually try Sir You Are Being Hunted with my gaming group once, but we never really figured out the game. We probably just didn't give it enough time. I do remember the enemy AI was...I did actually try Sir You Are Being Hunted with my gaming group once, but we never really figured out the game. We probably just didn't give it enough time. I do remember the enemy AI was definitely very punishing. I didn't even realize it was adaptive, but that makes sense in hindsight.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 5(ish) Discussion in ~games
Wes Link ParentSorry to hear about the eye strain and fatigue. There's definitely no obligation to participate, especially if it causes discomfort. Hopefully things improve soon! I had an eye surgery last year,...Sorry to hear about the eye strain and fatigue. There's definitely no obligation to participate, especially if it causes discomfort. Hopefully things improve soon!
I had an eye surgery last year, so I also needed to take frequent breaks for some time. I used BreakTimer on Windows, which was unobtrusive and very configurable. Maybe it could help.
Great screenshots, as always. I didn't quite realize what kind of game Ape Escape was before. In fact, now that I think about it, I suppose I've always associated it with Super Monkey Ball for some reason. There was no reason for that, other than both featuring primate protagonists. As a big fan of retro 3D platformers though (jank and all), I'm glad to learn of another.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 5(ish) Discussion in ~games
Wes Link Parentgasp. again. I always thought it was very cool how open to fan games Sega is. I suppose they must recognize that Sonic doesn't have quite the reverence of a character like Mario, so they let the...I felt...
...mellow.gasp. again.
I always thought it was very cool how open to fan games Sega is. I suppose they must recognize that Sonic doesn't have quite the reverence of a character like Mario, so they let the fans go nuts with it. We're all the better for it with delightful projects like these.
I checked out a couple videos, and Sonic GT truly does look well-produced. It gives me visions of a Sonic Adventure 3 that could've been. I miss those large, mission-based levels with lots of potential for secrets. Sometimes I even miss the terrible camera.
I do have my eye on Sonic Frontiers, which seems similar too, though I'm not sure if it's a good buy right now with a leaked definitive edition coming soon. Always hard to say if it's worth gambling on the existing edition being automatically upgraded.
back on the Dreamcast (this is a compliment)
At this point, you should get this printed on a t-shirt.
You can still definitely have items without inventory management. Imagine a game like Minecraft, except instead of having an inventory full of blocks, it's just a big list of how many resources you have. 500 dirt, 372 stone, 12 iron ore. You'd still be able to interact with crafting interfaces, trade, etc all the same as before, but without directly interacting with these resources. The gameplay loops remain largely the same.
Not that it has to be all or nothing. It might make sense to have certain resources be stats-based, and others more "tactile", like weapons or equipment. That'd be up to the game designer. But I can agree with the idea that inventory management does get old, and many MMOs specifically use it as a disincentive to push you towards paying for premium storage.