cooldoganytime's recent activity
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
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Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies
cooldoganytime LinkI saw Mars Express recently and was a huge fan. It's a French animated sci-fi thriller that that is very reminiscent of the original Ghost in the Shell but has it's own very unique world-building....I saw Mars Express recently and was a huge fan. It's a French animated sci-fi thriller that that is very reminiscent of the original Ghost in the Shell but has it's own very unique world-building. The animation and general art design are fantastic.
This spurred me to check out all of Jérémie Périn's other work and I've been blasting through his series Lastman which is also great and immensely entertaining. Not sure how I missed it for so many years as a huge fan of animation.
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ME | Official trailer
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
cooldoganytime Link ParentLiterally any other game in UFO 50 will pull you in way better than Barbuta. Barbuta is more of a historical artifact than an enjoyable game (even though a lot of masochists do seem to enjoy it)....Literally any other game in UFO 50 will pull you in way better than Barbuta. Barbuta is more of a historical artifact than an enjoyable game (even though a lot of masochists do seem to enjoy it). It was very courageous for the devs to place Barbuta first. Even the second game, Bug Hunters, is a huge step up. If you want to skip to a really good game that will appeal to your modern sensibilities then my personal favorites are "Mini & Max", "Party House", and "Night Manor"- although there are plenty of other great ones.
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Comment on Which content-recommending algorithms are actually good? in ~tech
cooldoganytime Link ParentPandora was the best for music discovery from the early to mid 2010's! It was dethroned by Spotify, which also used to have stellar recommendations a few years ago but is also becoming...Pandora was the best for music discovery from the early to mid 2010's! It was dethroned by Spotify, which also used to have stellar recommendations a few years ago but is also becoming increasingly stale. It does seem like the natural trajectory for any media streaming service is to gradually steer users towards content that is cheap to license at the expense of quality personalized recommendations. That's one way to attain some short-term financial growth for the shareholders.
A rating/recommendation system really has to be independent from any media delivery pipeline in order for it to be effective in the long-term. If it can't be impartial than it's inherently flawed. Unfortunately we've lost most independent rating/recommendation platforms... most are dead or owned by Amazon at this point.
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Comment on Which content-recommending algorithms are actually good? in ~tech
cooldoganytime Link ParentCriticker was my first thought! I've been using it for over a decade and have found so many interesting, obscure films as a result. It has avoided enshittification after all of these years, unlike...Criticker was my first thought! I've been using it for over a decade and have found so many interesting, obscure films as a result. It has avoided enshittification after all of these years, unlike most of the other websites mentioned here.
Unfortunately it does still feel like the community is dying. Most recent titles don't have enough ratings to generate a score prediction. The recent UI overhaul was a huge misstep IMO. The old UI was very practical, even if it looked slightly dated. Now with the new UI, it seems like features break randomly or are significantly slower for no reason, and it's likely driving users away. It doesn't even look much better either- space isn't used efficiently and it takes more clicks to perform basic tasks. What a shame.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
cooldoganytime Link ParentI enjoyed Humanity too. It's from the developers of Tetris Connect and Rez, so like those games it has memorable music and atmosphere.I enjoyed Humanity too. It's from the developers of Tetris Connect and Rez, so like those games it has memorable music and atmosphere.
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Comment on Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga | Official trailer in ~movies
cooldoganytime Link ParentFury Road actually had quite a colorful palette (purples, pinks, oranges) and the War Boys and their vehicles had a pretty memorable design. The footage from the trailer just seems sort of flat...Fury Road actually had quite a colorful palette (purples, pinks, oranges) and the War Boys and their vehicles had a pretty memorable design. The footage from the trailer just seems sort of flat and bland in comparison.
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Comment on Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga | Official trailer in ~movies
cooldoganytime Link ParentThat was my first impression as well. The visual effects seems like a step down from Fury Road. In particular, the scene where Hemsworth is wearing a red cape and riding a chariot (1:52) and the...That was my first impression as well. The visual effects seems like a step down from Fury Road. In particular, the scene where Hemsworth is wearing a red cape and riding a chariot (1:52) and the scenes with Taylor-Joy's robotic arm seem pretty rough. Fury Road was also heavy on CGI but it was largely used to augment cool physical props, costumes, and practical effects. Hopefully Furiosa will do the same. I don't want to see Marvel-esque world where everything is digital and perfect and boring.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
cooldoganytime Link ParentI'm also enjoying Cobalt Core a lot and I'm surprised it's not more popular (although that will probably change soon). Aside from the fun gameplay, I was surprised by the high quality of the...I'm also enjoying Cobalt Core a lot and I'm surprised it's not more popular (although that will probably change soon). Aside from the fun gameplay, I was surprised by the high quality of the writing. There are a ton of exchanges between characters depending on who's in your ship, which cards or abilities are in effect, and what enemies you're fighting. The dialogue rarely repeats and a lot of it is genuinely laugh-out-loud funny, or at least endearing. Reaching the "true" ending requires a lot of playthroughs, but uncovering more dialogue and story is keeping me motivated.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
cooldoganytime Link ParentI don't think that Mother 3 feels dated at all. It could be released on Steam by an indie developer today and I think it would be a huge, quirky hit. I personally love Earthbound (even more than...I don't think that Mother 3 feels dated at all. It could be released on Steam by an indie developer today and I think it would be a huge, quirky hit. I personally love Earthbound (even more than Mother 3), but it could use a lot of quality-of-life updates. The combat is pretty dull and repetitive (similar to other JPRGs of the era), inventory management is awful, there is some necessary backtracking and grinding, and there are some weird difficulty spikes. The setting, writing, and music transcend all of those inconveniences though. If you enjoyed Mother 3 then I think you can handle it, just push through the initial frustration. At least try to play until the "Happy Happy Village", that is one of the early highlights.
The original Mother on the NES, on the other hand, I could not get through. That is a rough game to play nowadays. Maybe some day I'll give it another shot.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
cooldoganytime Link ParentNot the original commenter, but both are some my favorite games and I highly recommend playing both. Mother 3 has a mostly self-contained story, but still contains a lot of references to events...Not the original commenter, but both are some my favorite games and I highly recommend playing both. Mother 3 has a mostly self-contained story, but still contains a lot of references to events and characters in Earthbound (especially towards the end). I recommend playing Earthbound first for the full experience, just know that the game play will feel dated and it takes a bit of time to really get going. But it oozes atmosphere and charm and is quite funny. If you bounce off of Earthbound then you can still play Mother 3. It might ignite your interest to go back and play Earthbound.
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Comment on The Pirate Bay celebrates its 20th anniversary in ~tech
cooldoganytime Link ParentI've used RuTracker successfully for a long time. You'll need a translation feature/extension on your browser to read the posts, but it's good for filling in the gaps left by 1337.I've used RuTracker successfully for a long time. You'll need a translation feature/extension on your browser to read the posts, but it's good for filling in the gaps left by 1337.
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Comment on Inside the very strange, very expensive race to “de-age” in ~life.men
cooldoganytime Link ParentIf humans do manage to extend their lives by staving off the physical deterioration of their bodies then I'd be curious to see what their psychological break point is. Even if you could have the...If humans do manage to extend their lives by staving off the physical deterioration of their bodies then I'd be curious to see what their psychological break point is. Even if you could have the body of a 20 year old for hundreds of years, I imagine you would still become jaded after about 100. How many times can you experience the same finite sensations before they no longer stir any meaningful feelings? You've had every possible meal and combination of ingredients countless times, you've said everything that you could ever say to your loved ones, you've seen all the sights which have lost their wonder, you've devoted hundreds of thousands of hours to all of the hobbies that you've lost interest in, and now nothing feels novel or gives you butterflies in your stomach anymore. Maybe suicide would be normalized as a personal choice once you've decided you've had enough? Or else we may need to develop powerful drugs that keep our neurotransmitters and hormone receptors from building too much tolerance. I think that the way that our brain functions and accumulates memories is optimized for the lifespan that we currently have.
As I get older I find some peace of mind knowing that there is a hard cut-off to all of this and I'll likely leave while still wanting more, rather than being bored with it all.
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Comment on ‘Unhappy hour’: UK pub chains adopt surge pricing for pints in ~food
cooldoganytime Link ParentSpeaking from the US, it seems like we've collectively adopted a 'smash-and-grab' mentality. Everyone is trying to hoard as many resources as possible since it's palpable that life likely isn't...Speaking from the US, it seems like we've collectively adopted a 'smash-and-grab' mentality. Everyone is trying to hoard as many resources as possible since it's palpable that life likely isn't getting any easier over the next few decades (you can choose your own existential threat: a looming recession, housing crisis, climate change, unsustainable wealth inequality, etc.). People feel that now might be their last chance to climb the economic ladder. I see a lot of corporate greedflation and declining quality of goods/services, but also so many individuals who are buying up as much real estate as possible to convert into short term rentals with very little care for how it will impact their communities and younger generations. I've also noticed that young people have a strong fixation on retiring as soon as possible and effectively 'checking out' or insulating themselves from society as much as possible. This doesn't feel like a healthy society and I don't think that we can continue much longer on this path without some sort of breakdown. But most of our media (especially TikTok) reinforces this mindset. It's easier to tolerate antisocial behavior by corporations when you're also partaking in your own way.
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Comment on What are your favorite soundtracks for films and video games? in ~music
cooldoganytime LinkSayonara Wild Hearts -
Comment on Crypt Underworld | Trailer in ~games
cooldoganytime Link ParentInteresting! Thanks for sharing, I'll definitely check it out. I also like strange, wacky experimental games. Here's some that I can think of: myformerselves has an incredible art style. See...Interesting! Thanks for sharing, I'll definitely check it out. I also like strange, wacky experimental games.
Here's some that I can think of:
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myformerselves has an incredible art style. See Middens, Gingiva, and Where They Cremate The Roadkill. They're full-fledged RPGs, but I've never actually completed one because they're so frustrating and obtuse.
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thecatamites has hilarious writing. Space Funeral is their most popular game and very funny and a must-play. I also like 10 Beautiful Postcards as a small exploration game. Pleasuredromes Of Kubla Khan is very short but has some amazing writing:
I'll never forget the words of the legendary Tacitus - "The goal of history is to make the past come alive!" How true! - can you imagine saying anything so decisive? Think of the herculean vigor involved in hurling such a statement into the face of mankind! All human life must now labor under this magnificent proclamation of Tacitus. Can you imagine shrieking it into the face of a newborn child? Is this image not without a certain grandeur and appeal? Thus, the mastery of Tacitus...
They have published a ton of games which I'm sure has some more gems.
- I also have this unreleased game on my radar: ENA: Dream BBQ
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Comment on Any Megg, Mogg, & Owl fans? in ~comics
cooldoganytime Link ParentGlad to hear I'm not the only one! Especially with Crisis Zone, I was very surprised recently to see that it's the highest rated book in the series on a few sites and was being recommended as an...Glad to hear I'm not the only one! Especially with Crisis Zone, I was very surprised recently to see that it's the highest rated book in the series on a few sites and was being recommended as an entry point for new readers. Even Below Ambition has generally respectable reviews. Welp, here's to hoping that there's a contiuation of Bad Gateway's story soon.
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Any Megg, Mogg, & Owl fans?
Simon Hanselmann published a new book this month, Werewolf Jones and Sons Deluxe Summer Fun Annual. I'm curious if anyone has read it or is planning to. I'm a huge fan of the main entries in the...
Simon Hanselmann published a new book this month, Werewolf Jones and Sons Deluxe Summer Fun Annual. I'm curious if anyone has read it or is planning to.
I'm a huge fan of the main entries in the MM&O series, but have been a bit disappointed with the recent spinoffs. Crisis Zone was a lot of fun and captured the mood of the pandemic really well in the first half, but felt like it jumped the shark a bit too much towards the end. Below Ambition is the only book by Hanselmann that I thought was downright not good. There are no interesting stories or redeeming humorous moments, just characters repetitively acting obnoxious. I had to force myself through it.
I've seen a few mixed reviews of Werewolf Jones and Sons on Amazon and Goodreads that raise similar complaints- that it relies too much on shock value without any underlying substance. I like Werewolf Jones, but it seems like he is becoming more and more of a caricature relying on cheap gross-outs (one reviewer called out Flanderization which I thought was apt). I think I might skip this one unless I hear otherwise.
I'm still all in for the next mainline entry in the series. I definitely want to see the resolution to the more dramatic elements that were left hanging (ex. Megg's relationship with her mom, Mogg's insecurities, the return of Owl). I definitely need some plot progression and character development to balance out all of the hedonistic debauchery.
Would love to hear what anyone else thinks about the series.
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Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies
cooldoganytime LinkI'm not a fan of most horror films but was recently convinced to see Talk to Me. I went in with pretty low expectations and actually found it to be quite effective. If you like Hereditary, which I...I'm not a fan of most horror films but was recently convinced to see Talk to Me. I went in with pretty low expectations and actually found it to be quite effective. If you like Hereditary, which I do very much, then I think you'll enjoy it. It's definitely not as well written or acted, but it explores a similar concept in an interesting way with minimal filler/cliches.
The Rise of the Golden Idol is a sequel to The Case of the Golden Idol and is a fantastic detective deduction game. You are presented with a bizarre scene rendered in an interesting art style. As a nameless, omnipotent being you float around and look for clues to determine exactly what happened (i.e. who did what action using what objects and when). There are usually several red herrings or logic puzzles that need to be solved and the mysteries are challenging enough to make you feel smart for finally solving them. There is an overarching story between the scenes which takes some wild and entertaining turns.
Highly recommended. Especially if you enjoyed Return of the Obra Dinn (although if you've heard of one you've probably heard of the other). Although you should start with The Case of the Golden Idol first, since there are many direct references even though they take place hundreds of years a part. I also slightly prefer 'Case' too, especially the 'old point-and-click game' aesthetic and that each case actually revolves around a murder/death in a clever way. But if you enjoyed the first game then you'll definitely enjoy the second.
I love the series enough to buy the 'season pass' for the planned DLCs, something I have never done for any other series. Looking forward to the new cases next year.