Messages

201

General Chat / Re: The COVID-19 Virus is Coming For Us All Thread

« on: September 23, 2021, 09:26:27 PM »

Oh, they’re not passing the virus back and forth. Them mofos are mostly straight up dying, and if they manage to survive, COVID apparently “lingers in the penis” causing erectile dysfunction and possible impotency. It may take longer than expected but as we transition from **** around to find out, the problem seems like it may eventually sort itself out.

By my estimation, the only group worse than the lazy cunts waiting for more data but never actually looking for it is the I-did-my-own-research conspiracy theory crowd who can get ALL the way fucked. And they will. Eventually. By COVID. Imagine having the audacity to believe lurking on Facebook or YouTube for confirmation bias videos is worth more than the research some scientists have spent their whole careers on, building off the knowledge and work of their peers and predecessors. I don’t wish ill will on anyone, but when these people die agonizing, completely preventable deaths, all I feel is:

202

TalkBack / Re: Castlevania Advance Collection, Actraiser Renaissance, Two Namco Arcade Archives All Out Today

« on: September 23, 2021, 07:57:52 PM »

I expect a Limited Run Games release. I still have the GBA cartridges, and I plan to replay the games on an actual GBA like Jesus intended. I might still double dip because my life has no meaning and I have expendable cash.

203

General Gaming / Re: Playdate by Panic - [OT] for console/games/future season(s) discussion

« on: September 23, 2021, 07:53:06 PM »

Even after a friend reminded me on July 29, I forgot about the pre-order start time. I didn’t get on until 1:05 PM EST. That should have been curtains for me if not for the issues Panic had with international pre-orders Lemonade mentioned. Apparently, a lot of people were frozen out. Whomp. I managed to snag a pre-order in 13000s. That almost makes up for the fuckery last year with Analogue Pocket which still has not launched. The universe is balancing itself out.

Here’s a link to Panic’s podcast detailing how they came up with Playdate if anyone is interested: Panic Podcast: Season 1, Episode 6: The Story of Playdate

It’s a little long, but I thought it was super interesting.

I kinda want one of these, but don't want to pay for it lol.

That seems to be the general consensus for people who weren’t all-in like me. I made the terrible, terrible mistake of commenting on a YouTube video. This one dude was saying outlandish stuff like it should be $50, $100 max. I get it. $180 is a lot especially when some of the games are surprises. Personally, that’s the entire appeal to me. I love kitschy stuff like Playdate.

Do people who buy/receive their units in say March 2022 just miss out on the first season of software?

No. I believe you get two games a week as soon as you connect your Playdate with Panic’s servers, and you get the same two games everyone else does that week so it sounds like the games are released on a schedule. My guess is if Games A and B were Week 1 then they will be sent out again for new users on Week 13. The thing you miss out is the Day 1 community aspect of it though you’d get some of that later on for those who download those specific games at the same time as you.

204

TalkBack / Re: New Expansion Pack For Nintendo Switch Online Coming In Late October, Including Nintendo 64 And

« on: September 23, 2021, 07:30:47 PM »

Fine. Sure. I’ll buy another controller for Switch.

I let my Nintendo Switch Online membership lapse in July so I guess this is as good a time as any to renew. Mission accomplished, Nintendo.

205

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Bayonetta 3 - Switch Exclusive (Internet Salt sold here)

« on: September 23, 2021, 07:27:31 PM »

Time to finally dust this thread off

First Look at Bayonetta 3 Gameplay - Nintendo Switch

Yep, looks like Bayonetta which is exactly what I want.

Recasting Bayonetta is some darkest timeline ****. Helena Taylor is Bayonetta, you cowards.

206

TalkBack / Re: Mario Movie was announced by Nintento

« on: September 23, 2021, 07:22:30 PM »

The cast is seems fine other than Charlie Day as Luigi which I actually really like. Chris Pratt may be an odd choice though I’m willing to keep an open mind.

Lindsay Ellis has a great video essay about how casting Robin Williams as Genie in Aladdin changed the landscape of casting animated roles. Genie was written specifically with Robin Williams in mind. That’s why that worked so well. Casting big name actors in voice roles kind of misses the point.

Everyone associates Charles Martinet with Mario. No complaints here, but I’m going to pour a 40 oz on the curb for Captain Lou Albano.

207

General Chat / Re: The COVID-19 Virus is Coming For Us All Thread

« on: September 23, 2021, 07:09:31 PM »

For the record, I don't give a damn if you're vaccinated or not, as long as you exercise caution (wear a fucking mask) and respect the situation at hand (stay home if you sick)
(yeah, I know most don't care one way or another)

I both do and don’t care. These anti-vax/anti-mask chuckleheads are taking up ER and ICU beds then begging for the vaccine on their literal deathbed. There are reports of cancer patients not being able to get treatment because hospitals are full. What are y’all doing? They’re very clearly not exercising caution so now we have a bunch of dead kids and immunocompromised people.

At the same time, I’m simply not going to argue with those people. Then die, I guess. 🤷‍♀️ If at this point a frightening amount of people are STILL not taking this pandemic seriously then taking fucking horse dewormer when there’s a FREE vaccine available, what can you say or do? “I don’t know what’s in the vaccine.” I don’t know, man. Have you ordered from a restaurant, like ever? Think about it after you’re done shitting yourself in the middle of Walmart.

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TalkBack / Re: Mario Movie was announced by Nintento

« on: September 23, 2021, 06:58:29 PM »

209

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

« on: July 25, 2021, 12:19:21 AM »

No More Heroes (Switch)

I got the Limited Run Games physical release.

This game did not age gracefully. Much of the humor didn't hold up under a 2021 lens. Maybe I found it funny when I first played the game in my early-mid 20s. At 37, it was mostly intolerable. I remember liking Travis Touchdown as a character except he's kind of a ****. Additionally, models for the red shirts and NPCs walking around Santa Destroy are pretty bad even for a 2008 Wii game. The graphics in general are extremely dated despite the art style and everything seemed darker, particularly the shadows.

The story was nonsense. I don't know how much of it was intentionally nonsense or something Suda51 would claim was intended to be nonsense if anyone called him out on it. Travis' primary motivation was apparently to sleep with Sylvia (as she promised once he became the top assassin) but also revenge he didn't remember he wanted until the very end of the game. Also, he won his beam katana in an online auction yet somehow is a world class assassin who "lives for killing" except the entire United Assassins Association was merely an elaborate con cooked up by Sylvia so Travis could kill his half-sister, Jeane, for killing his parents (statute of limitations on spoilers has expired). Jeane's backstory was also weirdly dark. If it was a con, why would so many people act like the UAA was a thing and subsequently put themselves in a position to get murdered. No More Heroes doesn't commit to anything, and it was difficult to parse out what was even happening within its narrative. Maybe that was the point. I don't know. I guess it's better to simply ignore all of that.

The gameplay mostly holds up, the driving simulator in the overworld and a few minigames notwithstanding. The fighting is a little mindless but I still liked it. I started the game using the Joy Cons. Despite barely using them, the left Joy Con began to drift. *lose horn* That said, I played most of the game using the Pro Controller, and it was... better. I lauded the original release for its motion controls yet I only went back to the Joy Cons for a couple missions that practically required it.

My main issue with this port is that Suda51/Grasshopper Manufacture made very few quality of life improvements besides 60 FPS and a resolution bump to 720p. The frame rate in the open world was absolutely horrendous.

No More Heroes' greatest sin was how little it respected the player's time, and the port, unfortunately, did not fix this. There are still no "Retry" and "Restart Mission" options. If you fail or know you are going to fail, you have to sit through the loading screens to leave the mission and reenter the Mission then click through the intro every time. And you can pass certain Assassination Gigs, but it's kind of not worth it unless you get a Gold rating because some are so difficult. If you do manage to pass, you have to drive all the way back to K-Entertainment, accept the gig again then drive back to the location actually play it. Y'all had 13 years and couldn't be bothered to fix that. Come on, man.

I don't think I'll play this game again though I don't regret revisiting it/double dipping. I'll probably play a palate cleanser game before jumping into the sequel. I would like to finish that as well as Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes before playing No More Heroes III.

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General Gaming / Playdate by Panic - [OT] for console/games/future season(s) discussion

« on: July 24, 2021, 11:32:11 PM »

Since Playdate comes with 24 games in Season One, I wanted to create an official thread to organize discussion on the console and games. Honestly, I don't want to root through a mega thread to find comments on the various games.





Key Details:

• Pre-orders begin July 29 at 10:00 AM PDT, full payment required (cancel any time for full refund)
• Pre-orders will not sell-out as Panic will continue to accept pre-orders and will be shipped in the order they are pre-ordered
• First batch of ~20,000 units will ship late 2021 (split between 16 countries, yikes), future batches will ship in 2022
• Pre-orders are limited to two per customer
• Playdate Cover will be available on launch day; Stereo Dock will be available "later"
• Season One is included with the purchase of the console and features 24 games to be release two per week for 12 weeks

I recall reading that Panic will work with eBay to remove pre-orders (as that is against eBay's policies), but I don't remember where I read that. In case I imagined that, requiring full payment up front should deter scalpers.

Official website for Playdate

Here is the full reveal from June 8: Playdate Update — 6/8/2021

I don't think these work anymore, but in case they do for some people:

Two minute trailer if you can't be bothered to watch the 15 minute reveal: Say Hello to Playdate!!

Again, embedded video if it works for you:

211

General Gaming / Re: Atari VCS, Amico, Micro Consoles

« on: July 24, 2021, 11:00:53 PM »

Steam Deck is kind of neat-o. I'll stick with consoles though.

I'm going to make a new thread for the Playdate.

212

Movies & TV / Re: SPOILER ALERT: MCU Thread (Livin' La Vida Loki)

« on: July 24, 2021, 10:57:18 PM »

^ Yeah. Variant Loki doesn't get Prime Loki's personal development, but viewing his Time Theatre forced the variant to reevaluate the choices he has made so far which ultimately affected the choices he made in the series. "Glorious purpose" practically became a point of shame.

I thought the Scepter/Mind Stone given to Loki by Thanos either corrupted or controlled Loki during the events of the first Avengers. Before that, he was the god of mischief who was kind of a **** but hadn't done anything especially awful. Ripping that guy’s eye out and killing 80 people in two days was implied to be Thanos' influence.

Also, I was under the impression Loki was at the TVA for an indiscriminate amount of time. Since time flows differently there, Variant Loki could have been there for a week, a few months etc.

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

« on: July 18, 2021, 02:21:47 AM »

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (Switch)

I started with Bowser's Fury. It was really good and definitely helped justify double dipping (I was going to wait for a drop to $40 then settled for $45). I ran into a couple bugs. When I was at 48 Cat Shines, Fury Bowser wouldn't go away no matter what I did. I had to collect two more Cat Shines while Fury Boswer was raining fire then was forced into the "final" boss fight. The camera and controls during the Fury Bowser fights were pretty bad.

I finally beat the final two stages in Super Mario 3D World (Mystery Box Marathon and Champion's Road) and all I had to do was buy the game again after seven years. It's still good even if it feels a little dated. The limited camera mostly worked. When it didn't though...

Also, some of the Green Stars were infuriatingly difficult to obtain. I wanted 100% completion which is absolutely not going to happen because I forgot you need to clear each stage with every character. Will I replay every stage four more times including the aforementioned and obscenely difficult Mystery Box Marathon and Champion's Road?

214

Movies & TV / Re: SPOILER ALERT: MCU Thread (Livin' La Vida Loki)

« on: July 18, 2021, 02:05:25 AM »

Loki was my favorite of the first three Marvel Disney+ shows. It wasted none of its runtime. Michael Waldron and Kate Herron (who will, unfortunately, not be returning for Season 2) made the extremely wise choice to not relegate He Who Remains as a post credit scene as originally planned.

A friend of a friend put Black Widow on his Plex server so that's how I watched it. The movie is fine. Everything Stratos said above rings true. Natasha's death in Endgame would have hit waaaaaaaaay harder had Black Widow released before it.

215

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

« on: July 18, 2021, 01:44:49 AM »

A Quiet Place Part II

It's good. There were a few instances of silliness like a colossal waste of Djimon Hounsou or the fact that the boat carrying one of the creatures made it to the island's shore. Overall, some pretty great performances, particularly Cillian Murphy.

Black Widow

Imagine playing the only female Avenger and being a supporting character in like seven movies before finally getting a starring role two years after your on-screen death then getting upstaged by two brand new, never previously mentioned supporting characters. Florence Pugh and David Harbour are excellent, the former largely steals the show. The dynamic between Natasha and Yelena was completely unearned. They're fun together, but the movie keeps reminding you that they were a pretend family for a short time.

The film itself is fine if largely unnecessary. Reminds me of Thor: Dark World in that it's inoffensive and merely exists. I was really hoping there would be a third act reveal that completely blows everything open. Turns out the entire movie was a vehicle to explain how Natasha got her nice vest in Avengers: Infinity War (it has so many pockets).

Gunpowder Milkshake

The movie opens with narration, and I had a feeling from the outset that I was in for a bad time.

This may be the most pretentious movie I've ever seen. I should have turned it off when Sam (Karen Gillan) goes to a "library" for "books" and even when she's led to the armory, they still keep up the charade and offering her "books". I paused the movie out of frustration. I got it; you're talking about guns. Just say "guns" now. I don't understand what is gained by this pretentious bullshit.

The movie was written by two men who think a woman lead and name-dropping women authors is "feminism". I'm also not convinced either of them have have spoken to other people before because the dialogue doesn't sound the way people talk. And they're bad at world-building.

It was recommended as soon as I opened Netflix yesterday, and my life is a big time waster. I'd pass if you haven't watched it. Do what you like; I'm not your mother. Or am I?

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NWR Forums Discord / Re: I've been posting on NWR for 10 years

« on: July 18, 2021, 01:02:29 AM »

Congratulations!

I’m approaching 15 years so I will be taking my leave soon.

If you quit I quit!

I mean, you barely post here as is. Better start packing up your desk.

I didn't want to hijack Phil's thread. I've been feeling like I should cut back on posting or just stop entirely. I don't play that many video games so posting on a video game message board seems silly. Forums as a whole are kind of dying off anyway.

I've spent way too much of the last 20 years getting into pointless debates with people. I look back and view most of that as a colossal waste of my time. You'll most likely never change anyone's mind (even if you provide corroborating evidence), right?

I'll probably still post here and there. Efforts to spur discussions have largely failed. I also think my internet use has gotten out of hand.

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General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Brought To You By The Tampa Bay Raptors Of Toronto

« on: June 23, 2021, 12:04:28 AM »

Holy ****, that ending! No goaltending on an inbound pass. This fourth quarter was so good.

Paul George is about to get wrecked on social media.

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General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Brought To You By The Tampa Bay Raptors Of Toronto

« on: June 20, 2021, 05:56:12 PM »

Well, Ben Simmons is getting traded. He tanked his value with his yips at the free throw line and shooting in general so I don’t know who wants him on that contract. An established organization with a strong culture like the Heat or Spurs would probably be best for his career. They won’t baby him like the Sixers did though in Daryl Morey and Doc Rivers’ defense, they walked in on Simmons wearing swimmies. The Sixers would be selling low. They have to do something. Embiid is locked in for two more years with a player option on a third.

Give credit to the Hawks. I don’t think anyone outside of Georgia saw them making the Conference Finals. Still, I’ll be shocked if the Bucks don’t sweep the Hawks. I don’t have a horse in this race. I guess it would be neat-o if the Hawks won it all. I like watching Devin Booker play so maybe the Suns. Who am I kidding? See y’all during free agency.

Enjoy this first though.

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General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Brought To You By The Tampa Bay Raptors Of Toronto

« on: June 19, 2021, 02:56:32 PM »

1. For the record, last night’s game was the first at Staples Center this season at full capacity.

2. It wasn’t even really Playoff P (though he had a good game). It was a combination of 2019 second round draft pick Terance Mann channeling Steph Curry and dropping 39 points on 7-10 from the arc, and Quin Snyder just flat-out fucking refusing to make any meaningful adjustments in the second half. Tell your guys to stop shooting so many three pointers when they aren’t falling for the love of…………

Then, the Clippers were straight up abusing Rudy Gobert. The Jazz tried switching to zone for a bit. The main problem is they didn’t have any capable perimeter, point of attack defenders. Conley and Mitchell normally can, but both were clearly bothered by injuries. It fell on Gobert except the Clippers played five out, forcing him to either help the POA defender who got beat or stay with his man. Often he wouldn’t even fully commit and was caught between the paint and the corner three point line. I can’t even begin to explain how infuriating that was. Snyder put Gobert on Mann who got so many wide open threes because he was supposed to be the one who can’t shoot except he was like “Nope, I’m cosplaying as Larry Legend tonight.” I know Gobert signed that $200 million contract in the off-season, but Snyder should have pulled Gobert. At least then you’re giving up two points, not open threes.

If the Clippers didn’t shoot so ungodly amazingly, they probably lose that game. Still, try literally anything else, Snyder. Once the Clippers stopped running pick and roll, Gobert was useless out there.

3. Unless Kevin Durant has another other worldly performance and/or Jrue Holiday/Khris Middleton have exceptionally bad performances, I see the Bucks winning Game 7.

4. I believe Chris Paul needs a few negative tests in a row before he can return. The thing is, we don’t know what’s going on with him. Does he have COVID-19? Is he asymptomatic? Paul probably misses Game 1.

The Suns are better equipped to play against the Clippers considering they have no major injuries, better on-ball defenders, and notably a player who can get to the basket whenever the hell he wants. Gobert is a better rim protector than Deandre Ayton right now, but Ayton is more mobile. He won’t get exploited the way Gobert was. It’ll be an interesting series. Without Kawhi Leonard, I don’t see how the Clippers advance though I didn’t think they’d make it past the Jazz so maybe I should, you know, shut the **** up entirely.

———

Nets vs. Bucks is awesome. I’m upset I missed the first three quarters. Whomp.

Bucks win on a Kevin Durant air ball in overtime. That feels oddly anti-climactic. The Nets had so many chances but were building houses in Brooklyn. I did kind of want Suns vs. Nets in the Finals for the Chris Paul/James Harden narrative. I guess Clippers vs. Sixers would have the Doc Rivers connection. Obviously, Sixers are who I’m rooting for based on who’s left despite my general dislike for Rivers as a coach. Hopefully, they can get past the Hawks.

220

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Brought To You By The Tampa Bay Raptors Of Toronto

« on: June 19, 2021, 12:30:19 AM »

I’m honestly surprised the refs finally called an offensive foul on Pushoff P.

The Jazz took so many L’s in a row this week. After getting “gifted” a Kawhi Leonard injury, they blow both games. Then, John Stockton publicly admitted to being an anti-vaxxer and anti-masker in a conspiracy theory documentary due to his “significant amount of research.” *lose horn*

I expect this organization is going to get blown up by the new owner. Probably can't do much with the players right now, but I expect Dennis Lindsey has managed his last team, and I would not be surprised to see Quin Snyder gone as head coach.

Yeah, I expect some significant changes. I hate to see a coach as usually good as Quinn Snyder get fired. He, admittedly, made some seriously questionable decisions in that third quarter. The Clippers went on that massive run and like the only thing Snyder did was sub Donovan Mitchell out. What in the world?? Maybe tell your guys to stop jacking up ill-advised, contested three pointers and drive to the basket once in a while. The Clippers have no interior defense especially with Serge Ibaka out for the season. Then, Rudy Gobert got exposed on the perimeter again. He isn’t used to rotating to the three point line, and the Clippers made him pay over and over and over and over and over…… Gobert wasn’t even stopping people in the paint. Like, why are you even out there, bruh? DPOY, my ass. Draymond Green was robbed.

Mitchell deserved so much better than this. I know you’re mad, and honestly, the more I think about this series and particular this game, I’m mad for you. As a basketball fan, I felt cheated. One of the best defensive teams in the league was like 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ in the second half.

Credit the Clippers for not giving up. For ****’s sake, even Pat Bev was on fire from the arc.

221

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Brought To You By The Tampa Bay Raptors Of Toronto

« on: June 19, 2021, 12:00:03 AM »

This game is infuriating. The three pointers were falling in the first half; they aren’t during this Sixers-level collapse. Stop shooting three pointers.

Terance Mann turned into Michael Jordan, apparently.

222

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Brought To You By The Tampa Bay Raptors Of Toronto

« on: June 17, 2021, 01:05:49 AM »

Everyone: I was rooting for you; we were all rooting for you! How dare you?!

The Jazz:


Mike Conley:

223

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Brought To You By The Tampa Bay Raptors Of Toronto

« on: June 16, 2021, 10:37:21 PM »

1. A nurse friend explained the COVID-19 vaccine to me so I’ll pass along the info. “The vaccine kinda keeps you bubble wrapped and if you do happen to get covid the chances of you requiring hospitalization are minimal.” It only really protects you, meaning you can still get COVID-19 and spread to others, but you most likely won’t die… of COVID-19, not you know *broadly gestures at a cold, uncaring universe indifferent to our survival and full of things that will kill us*

2. The Sixers choked. Another freezing cold take from me. Even if they get through this round, maybe they don’t make it past the Nets.

3. I feel like the Jazz should be up by more points. Maybe the Clippers are having their Braveheart moment. 💁‍♀️

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General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Brought To You By The Tampa Bay Raptors Of Toronto

« on: June 16, 2021, 01:45:07 PM »

Per Shams Charania, Clippers fear All-NBA star Kawhi Leonard has suffered an ACL injury

Yikes. Here’s the play where it happened.

As for the best possible team to beat the Nets, I would have said the Suns only because the Jazz are banged up. Losing Paul changes that. If Irving remains out and Harden is primarily on the floor for moral support, I think the Sixers have a shot. Cursed season is cursed. Seems like the team that can drag itself across the finish line will be champion.

EDIT: A few days ago, Mark Cuban called BS on reports that Mavericks executives fear Luka Dončić will ultimately leave due to a "growing rift with the front office." Today, the Mavericks cleaned house. Doesn't sound like bullshit, Mark.

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General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Brought To You By The Tampa Bay Raptors Of Toronto

« on: June 16, 2021, 10:24:26 AM »

The Jazz's season is over. Even if we did somehow get past the Clippers with as terribly as this team has played, we'd get swept by the Suns with the way THEY are playing.

Sources: LA Clippers' Kawhi Leonard could miss rest of series with knee injury (Expected to miss Game 5)



Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul out indefinitely, placed in NBA health and safety protocols

Time to blow up the team and rebuild around Donovan and a few key pieces. The bare minimum this year was getting to the Finals, and they're falling apart in the Semis.

I was going to tell you to settle down the other night (frustrating loss, I get it). If the Jazz can't get past the Clippers without Leonard and the Suns without Paul, banned from the league until they get their act together.

Semi-related: I know I'm on an island on this, and it doesn't bother others as much as it bothers me. If the Jazz advance, I really don't want to hear any if-Kawhi-Leonard-didn't-injure-his-knee-the-Clippers-would-have-won nonsense. Mike Conley will probably miss the entire series. Donovan Mitchell came back from injury in the first round then re-aggravated it in Game 3 of this round. Every team deals with injuries. Suck it up.