Messages

201

TalkBack / Re: Animal Crossing New Horizons Themed Switch Launching March 13

« on: January 30, 2020, 08:16:50 PM »

I like it!  Not sure I like it $400 CAD though...  that's a lot of money, when I already own dozens of games waiting to get played.

202

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Kobe Bryant (1978-2020)

« on: January 30, 2020, 02:31:52 PM »

...
Trade Deadline is February 6th at 3pm EST.

Does anyone think there will be some big trades? It doesn't feel like much will happen this year, but I'm completely ignorant about roughly half the teams in the NBA so maybe I'm WAY off base.

203

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Kobe Bryant (1978-2020)

« on: January 30, 2020, 08:32:25 AM »

A moment to bask:

Only two teams are ahead of the Raptors in the standings right now - Bucks and Lakers.
(Raptors are currently tied for third with Clippers in win percentage.)

This is true despite leading the league in win-shares lost to injury, and being very high on overall player games missed. This is true despite the team being largely written off after Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green walked with no return value for the Raptors last year.

Toronto can lose more than half of their games remaining, and still break 50 wins. With a remaining strength-of-schedule rating as the 11th easiest in the league, that seems like an easy target. Projected over/under for win total has risen from about 46 to about 53... and that over still seems like a great bet if you ask me. They are also barely touching the top 10 in championship odds, and only recently making it that high.

No respect for the champs.
Even if a repeat title seems unlikely right now, they'll be a tough out for any team when the playoffs arrive.
It's been a good season!

204

Movies & TV / Re: Rate the last movie you've seen

« on: January 30, 2020, 07:45:40 AM »

Speaking of which, I found it oddly satisfying to see Gwyneth Paltrow be cast as patient zero in Contagion, given some of the ideas she actively promotes (and profits from) during the past few years. The fact that people literally buy into that BS is terrifying to me.

205

Movies & TV / Re: (NEW Poll Added!!) New Movies/TV Shows we should keep an eye out for!

« on: January 29, 2020, 01:25:45 PM »

Same - I missed Uprising (both that you were talking about it, and seeing the film).

Which is kind of weird, because I did really enjoy myself when watching the first one. I think it had benefited from a complete lack of expectations going in though - was that just my ignorance, or did a lot of people go into the original Pacific Rim without a clear understanding of what the movie would be like? When Uprising was released as a sequel, it probably had a lot of people excited about it beforehand and would've hard a harder time meeting expectations.

206

Movies & TV / Re: Rate the last movie you've seen

« on: January 29, 2020, 11:15:36 AM »

Contagion is an old movie, but I'd never seen it and the content seems relevant given the current coronavirus situation.

Despite some goofs, it's a pretty decent movie. Some of the concerns it showcases around public panic and misinformation seem even more relevant today than a decade ago - especially given the ridiculous social media conspiracies that float around.

207

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Kobe Bryant (1978-2020)

« on: January 29, 2020, 09:26:57 AM »

Wow.  Coming from someone who is pretty big on the Mavs being an exciting team this year, WOW.

My problem with the Suns is that I don't trust them to put it together on a night-by-night basis, but when they are hitting it's a pretty amazing show. With so much young talent, you have to feel pretty good about the potential over the next couple of years.

208

Movies & TV / Re: (NEW Poll Added!!) New Movies/TV Shows we should keep an eye out for!

« on: January 29, 2020, 09:21:57 AM »

...
Have heard good things about Bumblebee, though. Picked it up when it was on sale, but haven't watched it yet. ...

To be fair, I've also heard good things. But I'm so damaged from watching other Transformers movies in good faith that I can't bring myself to watch it.

Pacific Rim is an odd movie. I can't call it "good", but it's fun and ridiculous in all the right ways to recommend watching. In fact, I might re-watch if it's available on Netflix...

209

Movies & TV / Re: Anyone Interested in a Forum Movie Club/Retrospective?

« on: January 29, 2020, 09:17:24 AM »

I'm interested, but have limited access to content. (Canadian Netflix and D+, basically.)
My assumption is that participation will always be a bit spotty though, so don't let that hold you back.  Maybe make it a rolling thread and just change titles when a new show is on the agenda?

210

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Club Nintendo Retrospective

« on: January 28, 2020, 07:46:41 PM »

The main thing I remember is how the survey they put out for Super Paper Mario was rigged AF ...

Hahaha... Yep, it was.

So even though I miss the (occasionally really cool) physical prizes, I don't miss the useless surveys they required you to fill out to get points.

211

Movies & TV / Re: (NEW Poll Added!!) New Movies/TV Shows we should keep an eye out for!

« on: January 28, 2020, 07:43:53 PM »

The Transformers movie franchise is so, so bad. At this point, I won't even stream them in the background while working from home as white noise... there is simply better white noise available.

Beast Wars would have to be more than AMAZING to save the series.

212

General Gaming / Re: Atari VCS

« on: January 28, 2020, 07:44:13 AM »

Fair enough.
I'm probably just not the target market, so it doesn't resonate with me.

213

General Gaming / Re: Atari VCS

« on: January 27, 2020, 11:50:25 PM »

I don't understand the appeal. You are playing slightly psychedelic remakes of classic games on a $300 console?
Someone spell this out for me. The soundtracks are fine, but I must be missing something.

214

General Gaming / Re: What is the last game you beat? Thoughts/impressions?

« on: January 27, 2020, 09:32:59 PM »

The Kore Gang (Wii) was pretty uneven.

At it's best, the offbeat humor hits and everything feels like a love letter to early 3D platformers where you explore large stages, collect little macguffins to unlock bonus artwork, and chase multi-level goals to reach the next stage. In it's worst moments, you'll be cursing the terrible camera, mediocre controls, bolted on story that never quite manages to commit far enough, and bouts of uninspired level design.

When this game released (a long time ago now) some people were pretty excited, because it was a project that was almost a decade coming and seemed likely to be cancelled. A few have called it a hidden gem. Sadly, I think it falls short of that label and is better described as an oddity -- something best suited for people with patience for old-school design foibles and projects that didn't receive quite enough polish before getting released. If that does describe you then dive in; there are redeeming features and some fun to be had along the way.

Glad I played it. Glad it's done. Not getting rid of the game, but don't see myself going back for a second play anytime soon.

215

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Kobe Bryant (1978-2020)

« on: January 27, 2020, 09:53:16 AM »

Since retiring, Bryant's legend has only grown. Perhaps I'm wrong, but it really seemed like his strength of will had been redirected from personal success on the court to a greater purpose as a true ambassador of the sport, supportive parent, and role model for many hard-working athletes. Who knows what his future would have brought, but it's clear that basketball is worse off today.

(To be clear: it's not just Kobe's death that is tragic. Each loss from this accident is horrible. But the others didn't have the same oversized public persona, so the loss feels more abstracted.)

216

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Out for the Season (Broken Hand)

« on: January 23, 2020, 10:21:33 AM »

I don't know if that kind of performance is repeatable (Zion going 4/4 from deep in particular) or if he'll be the basketball savior that people are hoping for.... but that first game hype was met for at least a few minutes when Zion went off. It's a shame about the minutes limitation forcing him out.

His body shape still terrifies me though. Something about his legs or knees just doesn't look right for such a large, explosive athlete. (Not that there is anything holding him back - I'm just worried about injuries/longevity.)

Also, although the threes are the real story, I loved that alley oop layup in the fourth. New Orleans has potential for some of the best lob connections in the NBA once Zion is healthy.

217

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Out for the Season (Broken Hand)

« on: January 22, 2020, 10:47:04 PM »

If the Pels make the playoffs (after a not-so-great, plenty of injuries start) then I think they'll be looking awesome for the future even if they get swept. Any experience they can gain at that level will be valuable right now. 

And even if they miss the playoffs, I think any development or culture they can build this year will be a huge win. The team is a few years away from serious contention even if things break right, so just seeing them grow on the way should be a fun ride.

Although I understand the "championship or bust" mentality in some cases (Lakers, Clippers, maybe the Bucks or Sixers), I hope that people don't look at young and exciting teams like the Pels/Mavs/Heat that way. All of those teams have bright futures!

218

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Out for the Season (Broken Hand)

« on: January 22, 2020, 04:12:00 PM »

..., but if the Pels can sneak into the playoffs and maybe steal a series, I'll be satisfied.

Wow, those are lofty goals just to be satisfied! 

I think most fans would be ecstatic if the Pels sneak into the playoffs - not just satisfied. The team is 3.5 games back from the 8th spot, and have a reasonable chance of making it if they stay healthy.

Steal a series? They are 10 games back from a position that (right now) would avoid playing against one of the LA power-houses.  Even then, you're probably talking about them stealing a series from Denver or Utah. Surely you meant steal a game, right? Because stealing a series would be one of the all-time great upsets in the NBA playoffs.

219

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Out for the Season (Broken Hand)

« on: January 22, 2020, 12:06:38 PM »

Should be interesting to see what happens. I usually don't trust the hype that one rookie player can make a huge difference, especially not when he's coming in after a prolonged absence due to injury... but Williamson has looked good at every level when he's played. Here's hoping he has fun and puts on a good show.

220

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 656: Top 1010 of the Decade

« on: January 21, 2020, 08:22:30 PM »

Do it! 
I used to own Ghost Trick, but traded it away after finishing the game. Totally regret that. Borrowed it from a friend this month and beat the game a second time... yep, still awesome. Fantastic game and deserving it's spot on the list.

221

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 656: Top 1010 of the Decade

« on: January 21, 2020, 10:56:38 AM »

Loved the episode and the insight into everyone's opinion of what were the best games of the decade .  I was a little surprised that no one mentioned Batman Arkham City - Armored Edition!  It had come out on the WiiU back in 2012(?).  This game was amazing in almost every way and is highly replayable.

Making a "definitive" list is nearly impossible because of how people experience different games at different times.

Does a remake (even a really good remake) deserve to be on the list?  Hard to say!  But I like the fact you are making an argument for it. 

222

General Chat / Re: Official WNBA topic: Mystics win the 2019 WNBA championship

« on: January 21, 2020, 09:32:51 AM »

Yeah - that's how I understand it too. 

Strong teams that make the finals usually win a lot of games during the season, so seem to have a good chance be represented in this type of tournament... but I think that's ok, as having a rematch in the finals seems pretty interesting anyway. There will also be a bit more randomness since you take 2 games (first home and away) against each team in your conference, so an off night here or there could be enough to tip the balance when you don't have a full series to help ensure the best team comes out on top.

223

General Chat / Re: Official WNBA topic: Mystics win the 2019 WNBA championship

« on: January 20, 2020, 10:38:34 PM »

...
The Commissioner's Cup sounds like a testing ground for what Silver was talking about doing in the NBA.  I'm still weary on it, but it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

I like this idea a lot for WNBA, and think (because of the way the scheduling works, and because there are fewer games overall) it's a better fit here than in the existing NBA schedule. Hopefully it will also help bring some attention to the league, because they are doing something different and getting an interesting (hopefully) in-season tournament to put some focus on a couple of the teams.

That said, will it just be the same teams playing here as in the finals? Or because of the way teams have to qualify, maybe not? Does it even matter? Very curious to see how the whole thing plays out. I do like the idea of giving a select set of games extra weight and having a marquee matchup (with prize money!) before the season ends.

224

General Gaming / Re: What are you playing?

« on: January 20, 2020, 10:31:03 PM »

... The Kore Gang (Wii), ...

Is this based on a license or something? Never heard of it. It does seem very reminiscent of Mushroom Men, Psychonauts and the like.

As far as I can tell, it's an entirely original IP, but Psychonauts does seem influential. (Mushroom Men less so, since it came out much later.) Sadly the world isn't fleshed out very well; from the opening cut scene, things just kind of happen without much explanation or development. So you don't really get a strong sense of the world you are in - instead it's just a lot of weird experiences with each new stage. That's not terrible, but despite being in development for over a decade it still kind of feels like there could have been more attention to detail if they wanted this to be a truly memorable game.

225

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Out for the Season (Broken Hand)

« on: January 20, 2020, 11:14:55 AM »

I'm not entirely clear from your post, but it sounds like you approve of the contract?

As a Raps fan, I like the move. Teams with a strong culture who make an effort to identify talented, hard-working individuals are often fun to watch. Toronto, Miami, and Utah are some examples, and all three are great teams to follow.

Maybe it's "too early" to hand out the money, but I feel like Utah's front office knows what they are doing. And investing in O'Neal will certainly pay out better than Exum did, right?