kfwyre's recent activity
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Comment on The 2026 Steam Summer Sale is live (runs June 25 - July 9) in ~games
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Comment on Steam Summer Sale 2026: Hidden gems in ~games
kfwyre LinkI unfortunately don't have as many recommendations this time as I normally do, and I also feel like they're not a super strong bunch. In part this is because many of the games I recommend below...I unfortunately don't have as many recommendations this time as I normally do, and I also feel like they're not a super strong bunch.
In part this is because many of the games I recommend below are "treadmill games" that I literally played while walking on my treadmill. I needed something with simple inputs and constant gratification to distract my brain from the fact that I'm exercising.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend most of these types of games on their own, but as treadmill games, or as the background for podcasts/audiobooks, they're fantastic.
Shockingly Overlooked (≤20 reviews)
- Twin-stick wave shooter made by our very own @text_garden. Great (procedurally generated) music!
- A Flappy Bird bullet heaven. Rough and grindy, but satisfying when it works.
Under the Radar (≤50 reviews))
- A high effort shitpost of a game. Better than it has any right to be; has more depth than it has any right to have.
Buried Treasures (≤150 reviews)
- PICO-8 game released as a standalone. 2048-style mergefest where you drop moons/planets on each other.
Underrated Greats (≤500 reviews)
- Active tower-defense game a la Sanctum or Dungeon Defenders. A bit clunky but fun with friends.
- 2048 but you’re dropping fruits. Cute. Made in Godot.
- Bullet hell where you recruit a horde of allies who attack for you. Great progression and 2048-style upgrading.
Cult Classics (≤1000 reviews)
- Drill to get resources to get better at drilling so you can drill more. Adds some neat variations on the formula that I liked.
Gem Graduates (>1000 reviews)
- A short, super-cute, free, and open source game made by the Blender people.
- Program your drone to plant and harvest crops. Very slick and well done.
- Zany co-op cops and robbers game where you and a friend work together to steal stuff across an open world. Irreverent fun.
- Incremental space shmup game. Grindy but satisfying.
- A digital TTRPG in a box where people use their phones to control their characters. Amazingly well-executed.
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Comment on The 2026 Steam Summer Sale is live (runs June 25 - July 9) in ~games
kfwyre LinkLooking for Recommendations: something like the modern Far Cry games without (or with less) shooty bits I'm currently playing Far Cry 4, and I like running/driving/flying around the open world,...Looking for Recommendations: something like the modern Far Cry games without (or with less) shooty bits
I'm currently playing Far Cry 4, and I like running/driving/flying around the open world, exploring different areas, and getting the myriad collectibles strewn about. (Especially the collectibles)
I don't love the shooting though, and could do without it (though the hunting is somewhat enjoyable).
What other good open world explorathon/collectathon titles are out there that would have me firing guns less and gathering up things more?
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: June 2026 in ~games
kfwyre Link ParentHumble’s been doing it for a while now — maybe a year or two? GMG has done it for some of their stuff, and newcomer Digiphile only has a 90 day window. Saying it’s “standard” might have been...Humble’s been doing it for a while now — maybe a year or two? GMG has done it for some of their stuff, and newcomer Digiphile only has a 90 day window.
Saying it’s “standard” might have been overselling it a bit, as thus far Fanatical hasn’t given me an expiry dates when I buy from them. “Common” is probably a better descriptor.
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Comment on The 2026 Steam Summer Sale is live (runs June 25 - July 9) in ~games
kfwyre (edited )LinkFor anyone who prefers DRM-free games, GOG is also having its summer sale currently. If you're on Linux (as I know many of us are), Heroic Game Launcher is fantastic for running your GOG library....For anyone who prefers DRM-free games, GOG is also having its summer sale currently.
If you're on Linux (as I know many of us are), Heroic Game Launcher is fantastic for running your GOG library.
If you're a Steam-first kind of person but dabble in other catalogs, these are the games that GOG has put effort into preserving, making the GOG version superior to other versions.
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: June 2026 in ~games
kfwyre (edited )LinkNote: Expiring Steam keys are now common. That means this giveaway is a GREAT excuse to give away any extra keys you have, because they'll otherwise just go away (most keys now have a 12 month...Note: Expiring Steam keys are now
standardcommon.That means this giveaway is a GREAT excuse to give away any extra keys you have, because they'll otherwise just go away (most keys now have a 12 month lifespan, but many are shorter than that).
However, it also means that some people might get gifted keys that have already expired. Please be understanding if that happens to you.
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Tildes Game Giveaway: June 2026
Important: This will be a noisy topic. If you do not wish to see it in your feed, please use the Ignore feature to hide it! Tip: If the large number of comments are cluttering up the topic and you...
Important: This will be a noisy topic. If you do not wish to see it in your feed, please use the
Ignorefeature to hide it!Tip: If the large number of comments are cluttering up the topic and you just want to see the main giveaway posts, click
Collapse Repliesat the top of the comments.
It’s time for annother edition of our biannual Game Giveaway topics! Share games with the community and get rid of those extra bundle keys you have lying around.
Before you participate, please make sure you read the rules below.
Rules
-Gifters
Post your available games, the platform and method of delivery, rules for your giveaways (e.g. first-come first-serve, random draw, etc.), and any additional info or requirements. Feel free to get creative!
-Giftees
Request giveaways. Please make sure you follow the gifter's posted guidelines.
-Guidelines
Anyone can choose to be a gifter, giftee, or both! Giveaway rules are set by individual gifters, but there are handful of guidelines everyone should follow:
- No grey market keys! Only give away games from reputable sources. If you're not sure what this means, please ask.
- Requests for games should be done in this topic, but if the gift is a key, those should be delivered by PMs only. Please don't post keys publicly in this topic, even obfuscated ones.
If you're new to these, check out previous giveaway threads to see how these usually go.
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Steam Summer Sale 2026: Hidden gems
Inspired by the recurring topic every Steam sale over at /r/GameDealsMeta: What are some lesser-known or overlooked Steam games that you recommend? Are there any genres you’d like hidden gem...
Inspired by the recurring topic every Steam sale over at /r/GameDealsMeta:
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What are some lesser-known or overlooked Steam games that you recommend?
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Are there any genres you’d like hidden gem recommendations for?
If you're interested in previous Hidden Gem topics, you can find them here.
For popular recommendations and general purpose sale discussion, please use the main Steam sale topic.
Optional: Feel free to categorize your recommendations by number of reviews (as a proxy for popularity)
Category Maximum Review Count Shockingly Overlooked 20 Under the Radar 50 Buried Treasure 150 Underrated Great 500 Cult Classic 1000 Gem Graduate 1000+ 8 votes -
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The 2026 Steam Summer Sale is live (runs June 25 - July 9)
Quick links: Steam Store IsThereAnyDeal SteamDB Sales Tool Hidden Gems topic Game Giveaway topic The 4H Club Share noteworthy deals! Ask for recommendations! Discuss what you bought!
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What's an itch you were finally able to scratch?
Title doesn't refer to a literal "itch" (though it certainly can!). Instead, it's something that's bothered you for a while, or that you've been passively curious about, or that you've been...
Title doesn't refer to a literal "itch" (though it certainly can!).
Instead, it's something that's bothered you for a while, or that you've been passively curious about, or that you've been meaning to get to, etc.
What was the itch, and how did you scratch it? How do you feel about it now?
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Comment on Celebrating 30th wedding anniversary - AMA in ~life
kfwyre (edited )LinkCongratulations! Much love to you two. My husband and I have been together for 16 years (though legally married for far less than that). I always love seeing esteemed queer couples of any...Congratulations! Much love to you two.
My husband and I have been together for 16 years (though legally married for far less than that). I always love seeing
olderesteemed queer couples of any configuration in long-term relationships. Really makes up for the lack of representation I had when I was younger, as well as some of the missing representation due to the hole the AIDS crisis put in our community.You and your spouse are genuine role models and inspirations for people like me, and doubtless many others.
I don't have any questions, but I wanted to celebrate this wonderful milestone. 🥂 I hope you two have many more wonderful years together.
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Comment on Steam Machine prices revealed, starting at US$1049.00 in ~games
kfwyre (edited )Link ParentYou could install Sunshine on your computer in the office, then use something with a Moonlight app to stream it to your TV (I use a Fire TV stick). It works unbelievably well. I had originally...You could install Sunshine on your computer in the office, then use something with a Moonlight app to stream it to your TV (I use a Fire TV stick).
It works unbelievably well. I had originally soured on local game streaming because I didn’t find Steam’s built-in streaming option to be very good, but the difference with Sunshine+Moonlight is night and day (ha!).
Aside from the gaming I do on my Deck, almost all of my stuff is streamed to a different device these days. Heck, I’ve even streamed titles to my Deck when particular games won’t run on it (e.g. Riders Republic and The Crew 2).
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Comment on Tildes Survey #10: How often do you visit/read Tildes? in ~talk
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Comment on Epic Games announces Lore open-source version control system in ~tech
kfwyre LinkEpic Games announced today they have created a new version control system that is now open-source as Lore. Given the proliferation and excellence of Git, you may be wondering why Epic Games is pursuing another VCS option... They are specifically catering Lore to games and entertainment purposes with large file sizes.
While there is Git LFS for large file storage with Git, Epic Games has crated Lore as a version control system designed entirely around the large file needs of modern game development as well as multimedia/entertainment purposes. Lore is designed to be fast and efficient for large files including binary files, and be easy-to-use including for 3D artists and more.
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Epic Games announces Lore open-source version control system
35 votes -
Comment on Save Point: A game deal roundup for the week of June 14 in ~games
kfwyre (edited )LinkHumble UploadVR Showcase Summer 2026 VR bundles are few and far between but are almost always worth it pricewise (VR games don't seem to go on steep discounts as often as pancake games). And with...Steam Frame Starter PackHumble UploadVR Showcase Summer 2026VR bundles are few and far between but are almost always worth it pricewise (VR games don't seem to go on steep discounts as often as pancake games). And with the Steam Frame right around the corner, there's no better time to kick off/freshen up your VR library, right?
I haven't played anything on offer, but it looks like a solid collection of games. I had Ancient Dungeon on my wishlist.
Also I already owned Zero Caliber and VTOL, so if anyone wants those, I'm happy to give them away to the first lucky commenter who wants them.
Also, that reminds me to remind everyone: our semi-annual game giveaway topic will go live at the beginning of the Steam Sale next Thursday!
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Comment on The "go fix a minor annoyance" togetherness topic in ~life
kfwyre Link ParentOf course! And no need to credit me. Take the idea and run with it however you want.Of course!
And no need to credit me. Take the idea and run with it however you want.
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Comment on US battery industry cuts losses, shifts to new ventures amid electric vehicle bust in ~transport
kfwyre Link ParentNot only are there very few affordable options, but Chevy outright discontinued the Bolt after the 2023 model, back when you couldn’t get your hands on them (I waited eight months for mine). They...Not only are there very few affordable options, but Chevy outright discontinued the Bolt after the 2023 model, back when you couldn’t get your hands on them (I waited eight months for mine).
They reversed that shortly thereafter, continuing the Bolt line for a bit, but have since announced that they’re killing it off again.
I have a 2023 Bolt (love it, by the way), and at the time it was literally the ONLY EV I could buy. Affordability-wise I was limited to the Bolt, Leaf, or Kona, and I’m too tall to fit comfortably in the latter two (even with the Bolt I had to make sure I didn’t get a model with a sunroof because I couldn’t spare an extra inch of headroom).
All the other ones available were out of my price range, with most of them being high-end luxury cars that, I have to imagine, are completely unaffordable to the majority of people in the US.
This sentence from the article is an outright lie:
Despite efforts to introduce EVs of sufficient quality and low enough price to convince U.S. consumers to switch en masse from gasoline-powered cars, automakers couldn’t get more buyers to do so.
Switching “en masse” would only happen if there were a mass of models available to buyers, and that simply never happened.
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What is your eleventh favorite video game?
Now that we know everyone's favorites, I'd love to hear about games that are further down the list -- the ones that don't necessarily rise to the high heights of definitive favoritedom. So, share...
Now that we know everyone's favorites, I'd love to hear about games that are further down the list -- the ones that don't necessarily rise to the high heights of definitive favoritedom.
So, share your eleventh favorite game this time. You know, the one that doesn't quite make it into your top 10.
Feel free to share your top 10 if you like as well, but lead with your 11th, as those are the ones I'm interested in seeing highlighted.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
kfwyre LinkIt finally happened, @CannibalisticApple. I finally played Squirrel With a Gun! I rolled credits and am now working on the (surprising amount of) post-game content and the Pride DLC. This game...It finally happened, @CannibalisticApple.
I finally played Squirrel With a Gun!
I rolled credits and am now working on the (surprising amount of) post-game content and the Pride DLC. This game really is a delight. Looks like an asset flip, plays like devs just having a ton of fun.
I have a few minor quibbles, mostly with the game crashing on me a few times as well as some QoL stuff (reclimbing in the waterslide area is a pain), but those are far overshadowed by the fun I've had with being a squirrel (with a gun).
It's not even that the shooting is that exciting really. Instead, I've enjoyed engaging in the game's more realistic squirrel problems, like "how do I find more nuts?" and "how do I get onto this house?" and "where are all the other squirrels in the neighborhood -- I need to know if they like my outfit."
What I truly didn't expect at the outset was all the different ideas the game would have baked into it. It's got the standard shooting and the 3D platforming you'd expect, but then I find myself making my way through a minefield or trying to drive a car up a tall vertical wall. It's noteworthy that nothing in the game is done particularly WELL, but also that the game owns its jank and lives by the rule of cool.
I was also surprised at the amount of movement tech in the game. Using different gun types to get different double jump types? Genius. At one point I couldn't figure out how to get into a particular house, so I shot out the windows, climbed a tree, jumped out of it, and used the ragdoll bounce you get when you hit the ground to sail right on through the now-open window frame. Is this the intended way to do that? Of course it is, because the game wants you do to whatever you want however you want -- the more ridiculous the better.
A big thanks to you, Apple, for selling me on the game and then re-selling me on it so that I actually finally played it instead of letting it languish alone and unappreciated in my backlog.
Thanks! It's fixed.