sotix's recent activity
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Comment on I am angry at Google and wanted to share (rant) in ~tech
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Comment on Indecision: Get a camera despite having a phone in ~tech
sotix Link ParentI've taken photos that I felt were good enough for my gallery with an iPhone SE. I wouldn't be so quick to judge the phone. I think great photographers can capture excellent photos with a iPhone...I've taken photos that I felt were good enough for my gallery with an iPhone SE. I wouldn't be so quick to judge the phone. I think great photographers can capture excellent photos with a iPhone SE.
But I vastly prefer using a dedicated camera for photography. For me, it's less about the absolute quality of the photo and more about how a DSLR changes your approach to photography. Having a viewfinder is a much more intimate setup for composition. Being able to adjust aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focus, and your focal length makes the experience quite different from a phone that automatically focuses and applies and algorithms to come to a predefined look for the final output.
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Comment on Indecision: Get a camera despite having a phone in ~tech
sotix Link ParentCompletely agree. I don't find I can capture photographs that move me in any particular way with my phone. It feels much more utilitarian. Like you, I love using devices with a specific purpose. I...I have never been in a situation where I want my phone but do not have it, but I have been in situations where I want my camera but do not have it.
Completely agree. I don't find I can capture photographs that move me in any particular way with my phone. It feels much more utilitarian.
Like you, I love using devices with a specific purpose. I have Kobo for reading books, a game boy for games, and an iPod for listening to music. I love all of those devices!
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Comment on Indecision: Get a camera despite having a phone in ~tech
sotix Link ParentI actually almost never have my Fujifilm on me. I save it for occasional travel. My point was more that when I'm in the mood to shoot some photos, I grab my camera. But when I'm out and about...I actually almost never have my Fujifilm on me. I save it for occasional travel. My point was more that when I'm in the mood to shoot some photos, I grab my camera. But when I'm out and about day-to-day, I'm not suddenly reacting to a situation and grabbing whatever camera I have at the time to capture that once in a lifetime shot like a photo journalist would. Photography for me is an intentional hobby. Put differently, if I didn't bring my Fujifilm, I'm not taking any photos.
So I think the advice only applies to a very specific type of person (perhaps the type that owns a camera) that's always looking to capture photos, and I'm not sure that most people fall under that umbrella.
I think I resonate more with the quote @imperialismus brought up:
f/8 and be there
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Comment on Indecision: Get a camera despite having a phone in ~tech
sotix Link ParentI've always heard this parroted, but I don't think it's true and the rest of your post highlights why for me. Taking photographs is a deliberate choice for me, so I always preselect the camera...The best camera is the one you have with you
I've always heard this parroted, but I don't think it's true and the rest of your post highlights why for me. Taking photographs is a deliberate choice for me, so I always preselect the camera I'll use. My Fujifilm X100VI takes such better images than my iPhone that I'm also more likely to print and frame. I can't remember a time I was out and about and regretted not having a camera to capture a moment. But perhaps that's because I'm an amateur photographer rather than a professional, so I don't feel an obligation to always be capturing photos. I do have a few photos shot on my phone on my gallery, but I could live without them. They feel so much inferior to me than the ones taken with my dedicated camera.
I fully agree with your advice about getting a second hand camera. Definitely stick with a single prime lens while you get comfortable taking photos. For me, that's a 35mm lens. It's my favorite focal length, but it's also what I had when I started taking photos.
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Comment on I need headphone/mic recommendations for gaming before I rip my hair out in ~tech
sotix LinkIt is slightly over your budget at $169, but I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Drop EPOS PC38X. I'd consider those the gold standard for gaming headphones with a mic. Made by Sennheiser. They...It is slightly over your budget at $169, but I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Drop EPOS PC38X. I'd consider those the gold standard for gaming headphones with a mic. Made by Sennheiser. They work super well, and I've had them for years.
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Comment on Horror games to play during October in ~games
sotix LinkI was terribly sad to discover that my steam deck was too underpowered to play Silent Hill 2 (and has been disappointing me with the oblivion remaster). So I finally got around to building a PC...I was terribly sad to discover that my steam deck was too underpowered to play Silent Hill 2 (and has been disappointing me with the oblivion remaster). So I finally got around to building a PC for my new place! My 7600X and 9070 XT should be good for playing that and a few other games I've wanted to play.
Of course, the last time I built a PC, my first game was half-life, so I might have to play some low budget horror game that could be played on a calculator to keep with tradition.
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Comment on Horror games to play during October in ~games
sotix Link ParentI've been having a lot of fun playing the demo for this on my steam deck. Great recommendation!I've been having a lot of fun playing the demo for this on my steam deck. Great recommendation!
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Comment on CGA-2025-10 🕹️⏰ 🗺️ 🐸 INSERT CARTRIDGE 🟢 Chrono Trigger in ~games
sotix Link ParentI main end up passing on playing it this month because I want to focus on a good horror game or two from my backlog for October. But I'll try to get around to it if I have time. Or perhaps I'll...I main end up passing on playing it this month because I want to focus on a good horror game or two from my backlog for October. But I'll try to get around to it if I have time. Or perhaps I'll play it later in November or December when I have some more free time with the holidays.
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Comment on CGA-2025-10 🕹️⏰ 🗺️ 🐸 INSERT CARTRIDGE 🟢 Chrono Trigger in ~games
sotix LinkI own the DS and steam versions and can't decide which one to play. I also have the SNES with a Sony PCM, but that's in a different state right now. Decisions, decisions.I own the DS and steam versions and can't decide which one to play. I also have the SNES with a Sony PCM, but that's in a different state right now. Decisions, decisions.
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Comment on Horror games to play during October in ~games
sotix Link ParentThis looks great for steam deck. Wishlisting it!This looks great for steam deck. Wishlisting it!
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Comment on Horror games to play during October in ~games
sotix Link ParentThat looks amazing, and it's on sale for $3!! Definitely want to check this one out. Also that change log is beautiful.That looks amazing, and it's on sale for $3!! Definitely want to check this one out.
Also that change log is beautiful. -
Comment on Horror games to play during October in ~games
sotix Link ParentI didn't know UFO 50 had horror games. I've been waiting for it to go on sale before buying it. Will definitely check that one out when I do.I didn't know UFO 50 had horror games. I've been waiting for it to go on sale before buying it. Will definitely check that one out when I do.
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Comment on Kojima's OD | Knock teaser trailer in ~games
sotix LinkThe game we've all been waiting for since the death of PT. This trailer was good! It looks beautiful.The game we've all been waiting for since the death of PT. This trailer was good! It looks beautiful.
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Horror games to play during October
Warning: this post may contain spoilers
With October approaching, it's time to play some horror games! Horror is my favorite genre. It's chock full of emotion and creative game design. It's a genre that has to continuously reinvent itself to avoid getting stale, which leads to dozens of incredible games.
The games I'd like to play for the first time are:
- Silent Hill 2 - I was holding out for a proper remaster for over a decade. It's finally here, but it's $70! I'll probably have to bite the bullet.
- Resident Evil Village - I've been meaning to play this for years and already own it! On sale for $10.
- Resident Evil 4 (Remaster) - I played the original but not the new remaster. On sale for $20.
- Dead Space - Just bought this on sale a few weeks ago. It looks really good! On sale for $12.
- Alien Isolation - Alien is one of my favorite movies of all time, so I should really play this.
Now for some recommendations:
- Resident Evil (REmake) - This is where you start if you're new to horror. Absolutely iconic, and not too scary thanks to its cheesy B-movie script, which can be humorous. On sale for $5.
- Resident Evil 7 Biohazard - This game was a true return to form in the horror department. Absolutely loved it. On sale for $8. Genuine steal.
- Inscryption - Not very spooky. Has a fun card game and a lot of intriguing ideas.
Are there any games you're looking forward to playing?
Do you have any recommendations?
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Comment on CGA-2025-09 🕹️🚂 REMOVE CARTRIDGE ⏏️ The Last Express in ~games
sotix Link ParentI'd actually argue in favor of posting the insert cartridge ahead of the month (i.e. right now for Chrono trigger), so that people can set up the game ahead of time and be ready to enjoy it when...I'd actually argue in favor of posting the insert cartridge ahead of the month (i.e. right now for Chrono trigger), so that people can set up the game ahead of time and be ready to enjoy it when the month has started. Helps avoid losing steam from more complicated set ups for certain retro games. This also helps for posting game sales ahead of time if the selected games goes on sale in a period before we start playing it.
And then move the eject cartridge earlier in month. I beat The Last Express during the second week of the month but only posted my thoughts today over a week after this thread was posted because the thread wasn't around when I beat the game. But I can see it being at the end of the month as well. Would be sort of nice to have the thread ready to go for people to post as they beat the game rather than a flurry of activity all at once in my opinion.
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure Schedule: September 2025 - March 2026 in ~games
sotix (edited )Link ParentDo you know if the workaround works with the steam version of the game? Edit: It looks like it does, but I went with the GOG version.Do you know if the workaround works with the steam version of the game?
Edit: It looks like it does, but I went with the GOG version.
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Comment on CGA-2025-09 🕹️🚂 REMOVE CARTRIDGE ⏏️ The Last Express in ~games
sotix (edited )LinkThe Last Express far exceeded my expectations. I hadn't played many adventure games up to this point, but something about the premise and the graphics really intrigued me. I'm very happy I played...- Exemplary
The Last Express far exceeded my expectations. I hadn't played many adventure games up to this point, but something about the premise and the graphics really intrigued me. I'm very happy I played it.
My first experience with the game after setting it up was reading the introductory section of the official strategy guide. I loved how it described the environment and political temperature leading up to WWI. It was really well written and helped me connect with the world the characters are living in while I was playing the game.
From there, I began my train ride and was immediately hooked by the game's presentation. The train car is beautiful and brought me back to a train trip I took a year ago with a sleeper car. The sound design for the train further heightened the environment for me. I loved how you could hear when the train was in motion or pulling into a stop. What tied everything together was the character design. The rotoscoping worked really well for me. The characters feel a touch more realistic despite the older graphics and are genuinely well designed. Having the trainmaster come down each car to announce dinner or that the train is arriving at the station really makes the train feel alive. The conductors further the immersion. I love their interactions with each other. When you steal the manifest and the older conductor chews out the younger conductor, the game really feels real. The game really does a good job of having the environment respond to your actions, and that's the major thing that kept me hooked throughout the game. The final thing I want to bring up for the overall game design is the voice acting. It's top notch and really pushes the quality bar to the top. The voice acting makes the game as exhilarating as it is. The characters feel real when you talk to them because they sound real. Nobody comes across as robotic. The scripting of characters talking to each other in their compartments or even over each other in the dining room or parlor car makes the world feel alive.
Moving onto the gameplay itself, I really enjoyed this type of game, which was great having never played it before. The mystery hooked me, and I loved the real time exploration. There's something about learning the schedule of every character and planning out a route to accomplish a task that brings me joy. Knowing when a character will be gone in combination with when a conductor will be distracted makes for a rewarding experience sneaking into the absent character's car. But sometimes the carefully crafted plan doesn't work because the conductor is seemingly onto you and is diligently monitoring the car from his post. It's times like these where I had some fun with the game. I would stop and think, "Ok Trainmaster Verges is gone from his post, so if I head to the front of the train and release Anna's dog, that will distract Conductor Coudert long enough for me to sneak into Rebecca and Sophie's room." As I was releasing the dog, I noticed that the kennel looked large enough to fit the golden egg, so I ran back to my car, grabbed the egg, and placed it inside. Little did I know that this was actually the correct move for later down the line. When that moment came, I felt so rewarded for understanding the subtle game design at play.
There was only one part of the gameplay that tripped me up, and that was in Chapter 4: Munich to Vienna. I was convinced that stealing the golden egg and handing it over to Kronos was the right move. However, I quickly learned that my character was a selfish man and would exit the train with a large sum of gold if I did that. Interesting insight into Cath. So I knew that was the incorrect state, but I couldn't figure out what the correct one was. For the only time during my entire playthrough, I decided to crack open the official strategy guide for guidance. As it turned out, I had discovered the correct car to investigate, and I had correctly looked over the jewelry box, but I completely missed that there was a secret compartment to explore and find the master key. That was a touch subtle even for me when I was normally good at diligently looking over every little detail in a room. If this were a game my friends were also playing, I'd probably ask one for a hint next time I saw them. However, no one else I know has ever played this game, let alone heard of it, so I turned to the strategy guide. And I actually liked that. It served it's purpose to help me get unstuck, and I never relied on it again. I used to do that all the time back in the day when I was playing games. I really appreciate a well written strategy guide that can be leaned on.
Aside from gameplay, I think it's worth mentioning some of the other moments of the game that gave me a smile. Drunk dancing with August Schmidt was hilarious and gave me the biggest smile. Everything George Abbot said was great. Particularly the line that @Wes pointed out:
"Good job, old boy. Speaking of which, you didn't happen to find the dynamite, did you?"
"Dynamite? What dynamite?"
-cuts to train exploding-Absolutely hilarious. The game really nailed the dialogue. Every conversation was interesting and felt rewarding to listen to, even if it wasn't an essential part of the game and you should have probably been in another section of the train at that point in time. I also enjoyed the daily newspaper that brought the events of the outside world into the train. The multiple complete articles about various topics displayed an attention to detail by the developers that really impressed me and is indicative of the craftsmanship of the entire game. Finally, I really enjoyed the rewind mechanic. The fact that everything is playing out live means that you'll inevitably miss something happen at a moment in time when you're supposed to be there, but you're foolishly eavesdropping on Rebecca and Sophie instead. Like a well-crafted run from the campfire to the boss fight in Dark Souls, The Last Express has a certain rhythm and cadence to the execution of what the player is required to do in order to achieve success. Inevitably you mess up because of something that would be tough to know the first time around. When this happens, you rewind back to a point in time where you can still accomplish your goals, and you try a new strategy. I found it fun to revisit my steps and discover what misstep I took. Once you placed all of the pieces correctly together and orchestrated the successful ending to a chapter, all of the rewinds and experimentation felt truly rewarding.
There were only two things about the game that I was slightly disappointed in. The first is no fault of the game and purely my own hope coming into the game. As a Greek speaker, I was really hoping the game would have someone that could speak Greek on the way to Constantinople that I would have an extra edge in understanding. Unfortunately that wasn't the case, but it's understandable in the context of all the characters. The other disappointment was based on the one thing I knew about the game based on trailer footage I saw before playing. It showed Conductor Mertens juggling three of his heads. I absolutely loved that! Unfortunately I never saw that in game. I imagine it took place during a dream. I loved how the dreams dipped their toes into surrealism with events such as the head juggling, but I wish it took it a step further. I would love more fleshed out, surrealist dream sequences that become very psychedelic and trippy. However, that's more because I really enjoy surrealist ideas and art. Something about an unexplained yet bizarre side of a story really does something for me. All that to say, that's not really a knock against the game itself. Just something that would have increased my enjoyment of the game slightly more.
Lastly, I am a bit surprised some people fell off of the game so hard. I thought it was fairly approachable and never had issues controlling it with a mouse. Perhaps the original version on GOG controlled better. However, not every piece of art will be enjoyable by everyone, so I think it's fair that we all have differences of opinion. I'm really glad I played this game and thought it was one of the best games I have ever played. The Last Express is clearly a labor of love, and its attention to detail in the construction of its world is beautiful. I'm almost a touch melancholic that there isn't a sequel. As a fan of the history around WWI and WWII, I want to continue exploring these more personalized stories that navigate the war. It falls in line with movies such as Indiana Jones that scratch an itch for me with fictionalized events set during real events. There's also something I really enjoy about a journey. Whether that's an epic such as The Lord of the Rings (which I read the first book of on a sleeper train) or the smaller scale journey we experience in The Last Express, I love the feeling of arriving at the final destination and being able to look back at the daily cycle that took place over the journey.
The Last Express is one of my favorite games that I've ever played, and it has me really excited about The Secret of Monkey Island. I'm happy that I cast two winning votes for games I would have otherwise never have played because I already have had so much fun!
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Comment on CGA-2025-09 🕹️🚂 INSERT CARTRIDGE 🟢 The Last Express in ~games
sotix (edited )Link ParentFinally got around to playing some last week. I'm really enjoying this game. It has me absolutely hooked! The dosbox version with the CRT emulator is proving to be a great choice. I began my...Finally got around to playing some last week. I'm really enjoying this game. It has me absolutely hooked! The dosbox version with the CRT emulator is proving to be a great choice.
I began my journey by reading the introduction and history and characters chapters of the official strategy guide. I was impressed by the quality of the write up about the climate leading up to WWI. They clearly put effort into that.
Last week, I got all the way to Vienna in one sitting. Things were fairly straightforward for the most part until I got to the concert section.
Spoilers for Chapter 4: Munich to Vienna
I quickly realized I was acquiring the brief case of gold in an incorrect manner by exchanging the Firebird for it, but I couldn't figure what I was doing incorrectly. I kept poking around the train and thought there must be something in Anna Wolff's compartment that I was missing, but I couldn't find it for the life of me. I opened the strategy guide and discovered that I had completely missed that you could pear below her jewelry box. Once I did that and obtained the master key, things went back to being smooth sailing.
I placed the Firebird in the dog's kennel after I realized leaving it in your room leads to it disappearing. Although I realized after the chapter ended that I can now lock my room with the key, so maybe that would work too.
During the week, I did Chapter 5: Vienna to Budapest. Today, I'm starting Chapter 6.
Edit: Finished the game. I'll save my thoughts for the next thread, but I really enjoyed it!
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Comment on CGA-2025-09 🕹️🚂 INSERT CARTRIDGE 🟢 The Last Express in ~games
sotix Link ParentThanks for informing me! Your method is soooo much smoother and the way to do it.Thanks for informing me! Your method is soooo much smoother and the way to do it.
Happily been using Fastmail for the past five years without a single issue. It's a straight up better experience than Gmail.