CannibalisticApple's recent activity
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Comment on Nintendo raises prices for Switch, Switch 2 and NSO in ~games
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Comment on Nintendo raises prices for Switch, Switch 2 and NSO in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentI had pretty high hopes for it from the start too! I've never played Dragon Quest Builders, but I could see enough Animal Crossing influence to know I'd love it. I definitely agree everyone seemed...I had pretty high hopes for it from the start too! I've never played Dragon Quest Builders, but I could see enough Animal Crossing influence to know I'd love it.
I definitely agree everyone seemed way too critical... but at the same time, I understood why. For the longest time, most of the initial trailers about it focused exclusively on the early game parts. Which I get to an extent, they don't want to show everything, but they did a really bad job at showing just how expansive the game would be. We only ever saw glimpses of the Withered Wastelands a bit more decorated, while most footage was just of the very, very start when players would still be unlocking mechanics. Even the gameplay demos you mentioned focused on the earliest parts, so most of the first impression footage was just underwhelming. Though the people playing it could feel the potential and talked about it, that's harder to see on video.
And the game is $70. Everyone's been super critical of all the price hikes since the Switch 2's price was first revealed, and honestly... They really did a bad job at showing the game would be worth that. I knew I'd be getting plenty of mileage out of it just because it's Pokémon and Animal Crossing, but even I was a bit wary of that price tag. I remember one person saying that it seemed like a $40 spin-off, and based on the information available for most of the lead up to launch, I can't blame them.
I said in the discussion about the gampeplay demo back in March about how I wish they'd released the trailer from the Pokémon Day presentation earlier, because that's the first trailer I recall showing what we could actually expect from it. And that was like... A week before launch. I know they wanted to avoid spoiling people, but still. The shots of Raikou in that brick structure and the Skylift stood out the most in my memory because at that point I hadn't really seen anything metal or technologically advanced besides the Pokémon Center. Up to that point, I actually expected the game to be largely rustic like Animal Crossing.
So, yeah. They just really fumbled at building hype. Believers were definitely in the minority, and I blame the marketing. Thankfully the game pretty immediately proved its value once people could play and confirm it was awesome, but if it had been a totally new IP without the power of Pokémon behind it, I don't know if that would have been enough to make it a raging success. I mean, most games won't match up to a Pokémon game's success anyway, but I think a lot of people would have written off a game and never looked back based on the limited information we had for so long.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 1 Discussion in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentWoo! Glad he's having fun with it! There's something just super cozy and comfortable about playing old games, maybe because of the nostalgia but also maybe just because the atmosphere is so...Woo! Glad he's having fun with it! There's something just super cozy and comfortable about playing old games, maybe because of the nostalgia but also maybe just because the atmosphere is so different from modern games. I'm still discovering what "new" Pokémon got added and having a blast with that!
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 2 Discussion in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentI'll say it again, I'm glad I gave it to you because your review was what convinced me to play it. If I'd kept and redeemed it, I most likely would have never played it. Seriously, something about...I'll say it again, I'm glad I gave it to you because your review was what convinced me to play it. If I'd kept and redeemed it, I most likely would have never played it. Seriously, something about seeing a comment here did a better job at selling me on the game than the game's page or any reviews. That's why I marked it for "Recommended by someone on Tildes".
The shortness and linear nature really are its main weaknesses. But at the same time, it delivers its message clearly and concisely, and without being too preachy or overstaying its welcome. I want more not because I found it particularly lacking, but because I had fun with what was there and want to explore it just a little more! ^^
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Comment on Nintendo raises prices for Switch, Switch 2 and NSO in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentAs I just said to your other comment: Yep, I'm firmly addicted. I have been living in Pokopia since it launched. It's managed to hit every single sweet spot for me, I genuinely haven't been this...As I just said to your other comment: Yep, I'm firmly addicted. I have been living in Pokopia since it launched. It's managed to hit every single sweet spot for me, I genuinely haven't been this absorbed in a game in years.
Genuinely worth the price tag for me. The initial trailers made it seem a lot more barebones than it actually is.
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Comment on Nintendo raises prices for Switch, Switch 2 and NSO in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentSame. Pokopia is the first time in years where I've genuinely lost track of time playing a game and was shocked to see the clock say 3 am. I had to force myself to close it on Monday night to have...Same. Pokopia is the first time in years where I've genuinely lost track of time playing a game and was shocked to see the clock say 3 am. I had to force myself to close it on Monday night to have any chances of starting the Backlog Burner.
And guess what's already open again on my Switch 2 right now??
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Comment on Nintendo raises prices for Switch, Switch 2 and NSO in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentKey word is currently. The link confirms the price will be changing outside of Japan in September to $499 USD, $679 CAD, and €499 in Europe. Actually, it is kinda surprising that Japan is getting...Key word is currently. The link confirms the price will be changing outside of Japan in September to $499 USD, $679 CAD, and €499 in Europe.
Actually, it is kinda surprising that Japan is getting the price hike on such short notice compared to the rest of the world. Maybe it's because the Switch 2 is cheaper in Japan, and they want to make sure foreigners/scalpers don't rush the Japanese stock and screw over domestic customers. I had no clue until now the Japanese Switch 2 was so much cheaper, and this sort of announcement would definitely bring that to people's attention.
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How long would a society comprised of video game protagonists survive?
Inspired by a youtube video thumbnail I saw saying "Which Link would function the best in society?" I didn't watch the video, but that did get me thinking to how weird player characters can...
Inspired by a youtube video thumbnail I saw saying "Which Link would function the best in society?" I didn't watch the video, but that did get me thinking to how weird player characters can behave. You know, with all the walking into strangers' houses, constantly crouching and jumping while moving, breaking any containers we see in hopes of loot, using special powers for silly things... Destroying stuff just for the heck of it...
So! Here's my extended question: how long would a society comprised mainly of video game protagonists last? And I mean protagonists who behave the way players make them behave, not just how they're written by the story. And that includes still having all potential powers.
Can be based on specific past playthroughs, could just be generalizations of how they're typically played. How many protagonist characters could actually hold down proper jobs without getting fired? Who would be able to avoid causing heavy destruction in daily life? Or get arrested fastest?
How long would they be able to put up with other protagonists' weirdness before snapping and starting a city-wide battle?
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 2 Discussion in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentHah, good point! Sounds like this game might be good for you at least! Might be worth playing it and mentioning it to your coworkers. Who knows? Maybe they'd be willing to try it out. Apparently...Hah, good point!
Sounds like this game might be good for you at least! Might be worth playing it and mentioning it to your coworkers. Who knows? Maybe they'd be willing to try it out. Apparently it's even on iOS, so if anyone has an iPhone...
Actually, it'd probably be a pretty good one for kids! I think it does use the word "Damn" once, but the tone is pretty lighthearted and child-friendly overall. It's an important lesson that's best to learn as early as possible, and it manages to deliver its message without feeling super preachy by just making the whole game super silly. Kids would probably get a lot of mileage out of exploring the various NO! styles and languages by replaying the game compared to adults, so the message would have a lot of time to sink in.
Man, this game would seriously be perfect for school computer labs or the Flash game era... I can easily imagine kids just talking about it on the playground and comparing the best/funniest options.
And the graphics are part of what makes it so fun! They really leaned into the "cheapness" of the graphics, I actually giggled a bit at how doofy the basic walk-cycle can be when viewed from the front. This one group bonding montage was particularly funny due to all the shots of people walking together, and you can change your expression during it for some pretty funny faces. I genuinely don't think the game would have been as fun and memorable if it used, say, more realistic models like Goat Simulator.
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Comment on Mark Ruffalo and Matt Stoller: This merger can, and should, be stopped in ~movies
CannibalisticApple Link ParentA big problem is that the tonal shift won't be overnight and instant, it will likely be more gradual. Can't remember which news network it was, but I recall people complaining about their parents'...A big problem is that the tonal shift won't be overnight and instant, it will likely be more gradual. Can't remember which news network it was, but I recall people complaining about their parents' views shifting to be a lot more conservative after some major network changed ownership or editors. May have been CBS, may even have been CNN. The shift was gradual enough that the viewers didn't notice, but outsiders definitely picked up on changes in their relatives' stances.
The fact is that the news program people choose to watch will shape their opinions and views. For many, that specific program will be their ONLY exposure to a majority of news stories, so their reporting and editorial decisions will influence them. It doesn't even have to be a radical change of everything, just changing how a few specific topics are framed. When the change is gradual and moves bit by bit, viewers aren't likely to notice.
This extends not just to how they report a story, but also what they choose not to report. Never forget how Bari Weiss made 60 Minutes pull the segment about the inhumane conditions at CECOT at the last second to "await an official comment from the Trump administration" with the claim it didn't add anything new to existing reporting without that. If that segment hadn't been leaked, I sincerely doubt it ever would have aired.
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Comment on Nintendo raises prices for Switch, Switch 2 and NSO in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentI'll add another point for consideration: apparently some non-Nintendo games run better on the Switch 2 than Steam Deck. Currently the only example I know of is Cyberpunk 2077, which was a shock...I'll add another point for consideration: apparently some non-Nintendo games run better on the Switch 2 than Steam Deck. Currently the only example I know of is Cyberpunk 2077, which was a shock to read about in reviews.
No clue if that'll hold true for the Steam Deck 2. I expect it will most likely be stronger than the Switch 2, but to my understanding part of the reason for the ports running better is because consoles have specific specs for developers to use as a guideline. So the quality of games for it will be fairly consistent, for better or worse. (On that note, so far Nintendo's first-party games are genuinely the most consistently polished games I see among the AAA devs. They really do take their time to ensure everything runs smoothly, even if some of the games are left lacking in content.)
One other thing: the Switch 2 remains less bulky than the Steam Deck which is better for travel. I took a trip a couple months back, and I stowed my Switch 2 in my carry-on bag with the joycons detached and everything wrapped in the foam sleeves used for packaging in the box. Ideally you should have a case, but even the cases I've seen are less bulky than the Steam Deck's.
Ultimately though, I agree that the biggest factor is just whether you like the Nintendo exclusive games, especially since they've already shifted to developing exclusively for Switch 2. I always say every time that I'm a lifelong Pokémon and Animal Crossing fan, so I'm locked into buying Nintendo consoles forever. The fact some ports perform better than on Steam Deck or PC is just a really good bonus I did not expect, but that may be enough to sway some people.
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Comment on Nintendo raises prices for Switch, Switch 2 and NSO in ~games
CannibalisticApple LinkWell damn. We got my Switch 2 at Christmas due to rumors of an upcoming price hike, but I was hoping those rumors wouldn't become reality.Well damn. We got my Switch 2 at Christmas due to rumors of an upcoming price hike, but I was hoping those rumors wouldn't become reality.
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Comment on Canvas hack impacts university students and professors during finals week in ~tech
CannibalisticApple LinkJust learned about this from a Youtube short of all things. The timing is definitely bad for students with finals. Along with submitting projects, I'm pretty sure one of my classes actually had...Just learned about this from a Youtube short of all things. The timing is definitely bad for students with finals.
Along with submitting projects, I'm pretty sure one of my classes actually had its final exam on Canvas. It was a super laidback summer course and was a 101-level class (Intro to New Media or something like that), so the atmosphere was incredibly casual given the subject matter and being summertime. We had the option to go to the final class session to do it there, or just do it at home. Not sure how many other courses would do that during the regular year, but I wouldn't be surprised if some similarly low-level classes would also use Canvas.
(One fun thing about doing the final exam on Canvas: the first guy to finish the exam piped up, "Uh... It's showing me the correct answers." We all turned to the teacher, who just shrugged and said "Go for it." Only reason everyone didn't get 100 is because we had to go back to earlier questions while he was still reading answers, so some people missed an already wrong answer. Good times.)
A question for people who are more familiar with Canvas and its workings: how much of students' personal information is stored in Canvas and Instructure? Obviously it has their names, but would it have things like financial info? I'm pretty sure my school had a separate hub for that stuff, but it's been years and my parents handled the financial stuff anyway so my memory's fuzzy. And even then, some of that data may just be hidden in the back end away from students' eyes.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 2 Discussion in ~games
CannibalisticApple LinkSo! Bingo card, week 2! Flux Custom bingo 5/25 Set in space Has multiple playable characters Has both combat and puzzles Has a fishing minigame Is mostly text-based Has great reviews, but not your...So! Bingo card, week 2!
Flux Custom bingo 5/25 Set in space Has multiple playable characters Has both combat and puzzles Has a fishing minigame Is mostly text-based Has great reviews, but not your usual type Your friend loves it Came out more than 10 years ago Has been played at a Backlog Burner A romhack or total conversion mod
✅ Pokémon Kanto Expansion PackHas a calm vibe It’s already installed
✅ Say No! More★ Wildcard Has more than 3 words in its title Has zombies Focuses on exploration Recommended by someone on Tildes
✅ Say No! MoreYou're giving it a second chance Is beatable without killing any enemies
✅ Say No! MoreOwned for more than 2 years From a genre you don’t normally play You have to tinker to get it running Features a mystery Makes you think Has a third-person perspective
✅ Pokémon Kanto Expansion PackI played Say No! More and marked off another three squares. Short game all about... Well, saying no.
I marked off "recommended by someone on Tildes" but there's a funny story. I had a free key for it which I gave to @BailerAppleby last December, and who then reviewed it later in the weekly gaming thread. And that review convinced me to keep an eye out for it!
As I explained in a DM, it had been one of those games where if I'd redeemed it, it likely would have sat in my library for years and possibly never been touched. Also I had like 60 gold points left on the Nintendo eshop and it went up for sale for like, $2, shortly after that post. I wanted my final purchase with gold loints to be something worthwhile, and I'd say this one definitely was.
So! More detailed thoughts!
Thoughts on Say No! More
The game is short and linear, about two hours total. And when I say linear, I mean you're moving on a rail and just shout no (or don't) at obstacles. That may be one of my few disappointments, I wanted to be able to wander freely and yell NO! as my heart desired.
The story is short, but sweet. Obviously it's incredibly silly (the whole plot could have been avoided if people just stopped taking our dang lunchbox), and it's pretty campy in a good way, but it was also surprisingly heartfelt at the end. I almost felt a little teary. Its aesop of the importance of saying "no" is actually a message I think more people need to internalize, and I think this game does a really good job at portraying that.
One downside of how short the story is, is that I feel like we didnt get to exercise the power of saying NO to its full extent. We unlock different styles of saying NO throughout the game, but I didn't really need to use specific ones, most people were taken down by a simple or charged NO.
But the NO styles are definitely fun, especially when you mess with languages. I replayed the start of one chapter a few times with several different languages. The Wacky laugh style has some really fun variations, including some "singing" melodies when charging up. Bailer mentioned Chinese female voice and German male, I'll add in that the Korean male voice using the Cool No is very chilly.
Also, this game has customization and I spent like, half an hour in it. A+ customization, ended up sporting a teal bomber jacket and camo pants. I went for something more serious, but the silly tone of the game makes it totally natural to go for super silly and dorky looks without feeling out of place. And this game has body types, which I actually can't recall really seeing in other games.
And better clothing options than Pokémon Scarlet/VioletOverall, I'm satisfied with the game and really just wish it was long. I wanted to say No! Much More. I heartily recommend it, especially to people who feel like they might need to be a bit more assertive.
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Comment on Mark Ruffalo and Matt Stoller: This merger can, and should, be stopped in ~movies
CannibalisticApple Link ParentOne major issue is that Paramount already owns CBS, which has made some highly controversial changes in the past year since getting bought by Skydance/Ellison, who has close ties to Trump. It's...One major issue is that Paramount already owns CBS, which has made some highly controversial changes in the past year since getting bought by Skydance/Ellison, who has close ties to Trump. It's pretty much guaranteed that CNN will undergo similar changes given Trump's criticism of CNN. And the Saudi government and other foreign funders are further involved and helped fund the bid. Ostensibly they'll have no power in future Paramount-Warner votes, but just the fact they helped will influence some decisions in order to benefit and appease them.
Even outside of the news, it's still not good to have so much of media in general owned by one company and family. They can only work on and release so many projects at once, so putting so many major IPs under one umbrella means most of them will get ignored or buried. They'll also likely totally overhaul IPs and remove key figures from franchises and projects as they lay off existing staff and casts, because the merger is expected to have many layoffs.
This AP article goes into some further detail of why the merger is so controversial.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 1 Discussion in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentSo as said, on Monday night I finally quit Pokopia and opened a totally new game before bed. And... I still have that game open and unplayed because yesterday was busy, and before I knew it there...So as said, on Monday night I finally quit Pokopia and opened a totally new game before bed.
And... I still have that game open and unplayed because yesterday was busy, and before I knew it there was like, an hour before this Vtuber's stream (Uzuki Tomoya for the record) started last night. I didn't want to start a brand new game only to pause, and this guy's streams tend to have smaller crowds and thus more casual chats with the chat. So I wanted a game I knew I could easily split my attention and participate in chat.
So! I took the opportunity to get back to a game I played in a previous Backlog Burner, the Pokémon Romhack Kanto Expansion Pak. Marking off Romhack and third-person POV, though leaving off the "played in a previous Backlog Burner" because would feel like cheating to include a game I played. Made even better by the fact he was playing Pokémon FireRed last night, and coincidentally our saves happened to be near the same spots.
Rambles about the game and watching a stream
For those unfamiliar, Kanto Expansion Pak is a Gen 1 Romhack that adds a bunch of new features like newer-gen evolutions, all the cut Beta Pokémon, minor QOL improvements like running, and some cool new areas... While still keeping most of the Gen 1 jank intact. Pokémon have their original Gen 1 typings (so plain Electric for the Magnemite line, and Jigglypuff and Clefairy are all Normal), moves also have their original typings (Gust and Bite were normal type moves), and the interface gives us no information about moves besides their names!
So watching someone play FireRed while playing a Gen 1 game made for some really interesting comparisons. I and another viewer ended up talking a bit about the Gen 1 jank and how much has changed, since Tomo hadn't played any of the older games. It was kinda surprising to realize that finding Missingno and Fire-type Pokémon while surfing on the right side of Cinnabar Island isn't really as well-known anymore. Those glitches used to be legendary, but they've long faded from modern Pokémon discourse.
One other not-quite-janky bit, but something that did change: Bug-type is weak to Poison in Gen 1, which threw a wrench in my plans to challenge Koga because Butterfree was my primary Psychic-type member. And also, his gym's first trainer had an Umbreon and none of my team were equipped for that.
So most of the night was spent grinding Pokémon, and while Tomo reached Cinnabar Island and completed the Sevii Islands side quest, no gym challenges were made on my end.
One fun theory we developed that I want to share: Nurse Joy might be a Mew clone from the same program that made Ditto. She does have pink hair, and the first movie DID have Mewtwo use a Nurse Joy as his human representative. Makes sense he'd go for a cloned human. And Officer Jenny may be the shiny version, since they're more rare and have blue hair.
Though now I kinda want to make a romhack that explores the Nurse Joy conspiracy....
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 1 Discussion in ~games
CannibalisticApple LinkFlux Custom bingo 2/25 Set in space Has multiple playable characters Has both combat and puzzles Has a fishing minigame Is mostly text-based Has great reviews, but not your usual type Your friend...Flux Custom bingo 2/25 Set in space Has multiple playable characters Has both combat and puzzles Has a fishing minigame Is mostly text-based Has great reviews, but not your usual type Your friend loves it Came out more than 10 years ago Has been played at a Backlog Burner A romhack or total conversion mod
✅ Pokémon Kanto Expansion PackHas a calm vibe It’s already installed ★ Wildcard Has more than 3 words in its title Has zombies Focuses on exploration Recommended by someone on Tildes You're giving it a second chance Is beatable without killing any enemies Owned for more than 2 years From a genre you don’t normally play You have to tinker to get it running Features a mystery Makes you think Has a third-person perspective
✅ Pokémon Kanto Expansion PackSo joining on day six! As I said in the announcement thread I've spent the past two months living in Pokopia. Yesterday (well actually on Monday), I finally forced myself to save and exit Pokopia and launch a different game for the first time since its release last month.
I'm keeping the Bingo a bit more mellow this time. Not going by blackout rules, but a traditional Bingo. Also going for the original Flux format rather than Flow... But I'm also allowing duplicates, so that I can more easily get a bingo and not feel pressured to prioritize certain games over others I want to play.
So far I've marked off two squares. Details in a comment!
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Comment on Did wokeness leave us worse off? (gifted link) in ~society
CannibalisticApple Link ParentFully agree they suck. I'm not trying to justify or defend that mindset, or say that SJW culture "made them" vote that way. I argued with that friend a LOT about wanting Trump to win for such a...Fully agree they suck. I'm not trying to justify or defend that mindset, or say that SJW culture "made them" vote that way. I argued with that friend a LOT about wanting Trump to win for such a dumb and petty reason, especially because I would be the one who'd be dealing with the direct aftermath while they were safely in the UK. If they had been American and voted for him with that motivation, I likely would have ended the friendship then (though the friendship did ultimately fade around that time anyway for unrelated reasons).
Some people do vote for the pettiest of reasons and spite against some other group rather than policy issues. It's so damn frustrating because at that point the vote has barely anything to do with politics, it's just people being self-righteous assholes... At least with policy issues there's a chance of educating someone on an issue enough to open their minds. If they're voting based on pure pettiness, you'd need to change their whole personality.
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Comment on Did wokeness leave us worse off? (gifted link) in ~society
CannibalisticApple Link ParentNever said SJW culture was powerful. However, some parts of it could get very vocal and annoying, especially in direct interactions. I find it very believable some people may have voted for Trump...Never said SJW culture was powerful. However, some parts of it could get very vocal and annoying, especially in direct interactions. I find it very believable some people may have voted for Trump for purely petty spite to "get back" at SJWs after one such interaction. It's the same sort of pettiness as people who buy and eat meat in front of a very specific and annoying vegan they know.
I don't think it would have motivated enough people to completely sway the votes, but... Yeah, some people definitely did, likely with the thought that he couldn't do that much damage. Again, I never realized how much of a President's abilities and limitations basically relied on the honor system rather than formal regulations. His first term managed to exceed all of my worst expectations.
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Comment on Did wokeness leave us worse off? (gifted link) in ~society
CannibalisticApple Link ParentI had a friend (not American) who wanted Trump to win the first election solely because they were annoyed with SJW culture. Literally told me they wanted him to win to knock SJWs down a peg, as...I had a friend (not American) who wanted Trump to win the first election solely because they were annoyed with SJW culture. Literally told me they wanted him to win to knock SJWs down a peg, as around that time SJW culture was particularly grating and preachy.
The one saving grace is that they—and to an extent, me as well—saw the position of President as close to a figurehead position with limited powers. My biggest argument at that point was that the next president was set to appoint a bunch of Supreme Court Justices, which they agreed would have a long-term effect. We both figured the oversight from Congress would keep him in check.
We genuinely had no clue just how bad Trump getting elected would be. I never realized just how much of the President's power is dependent on the person having the most basic, barest levels of decency.
I do wonder how many people did vote for him with that exact mindset.
Yeah, it's invaded my dreams. It's pretty addicting given how simple the gameplay is. It's basically a giant sandbox, and often I find a lack of any real, solid goals means eventually I'll run out of ideas and ways to occupy myself... But so far, Pokopia somehow seems to avoid that. I'm just bursting with ideas, and I can also play it with videos or podcasts playing in the background. It's probably because it's a genuine sandbox game, with the sandbox as the primary focus. Somehow, that's surprisingly rare.
Glad Pragmata managed to grab your attention at least! Haven't played it myself, but I've seen people gushing over it. I also see a lot of people gush over Tomodachi Life... but I'm perfectly content with Pokopia.
And not weird at all! So far the other game to draw me in a bit has been the Kanto Expansion Pak romhack. I think part of it is just the nostalgia and familiarity of returning to Gen 1 (but now with cut Beta Pokémon and new areas! And running!!), so that may be why you're feeling a pull to Star Fox. It's making me thinking of how much the atmosphere in games has changed overall. There's this quality I can't really describe that's only really present in older games, making the in-game world feel smaller in a cozy way and just... comfortable.
Honestly I'm using the Backlog Burner to try to back off Pokopia a little bit though, because I have definitely played it too much xD