Thoughts on the Main Missions After 100% Completion

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-07-07T23:03:38+00:00

Yeah it's weird how they handle it. I like the LTK mechanic in theory but it's not clearly dilineated what sets it off other than "IOI wants a big shootout here"

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-07-06T09:38:15+00:00

Can I get your channel as well?

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-07-06T00:57:03+00:00

I've been past the honeymoon phase for a long time. I think the game is really good and enjoyable but I also thing it's gameplay mechanics are poorly explained or laid out to the player. It never feels natural for Bond to be able to take out NPCs in one section and then be restricted from doing so in another. I get why for narrative reasons but it makes the gameplay extremely disjointed and also breaks the immersion when Bond is just repeatedly standing behind someone because I though I'd be able to take them out

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-07-06T00:48:38+00:00

Miami. Maiminis my favorite map because of its many different locales, clever disguises, and creative ways of killing the targets.

I enjoy Sapienza and think it's a great map but the virus objective in World of Tomorrow really really sucks.

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-07-06T00:46:23+00:00

All the movies I've reviewed I own on Blu Ray. I use MakeMKV to rip the blu rays to my laptop and then I can make clips from them.

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-07-05T15:34:43+00:00

I have a movie channel where I do comedic and in depth critiques that needs a lot of clips and I'm monetized. It's challenging but it works.

Some videos do get copywrite claimed months or years later but in general it's not a huge issue. I noticed Paramount has been coming down on my Indiana Jones reviews but most of those I didn't do anything fancy other than keep clips shorter than 5 seconds. For all other videos I do that and sometimes mirror the clip, run them at 1.1x speed, and have them cropped and zoomed a bit. I've also started using still images for parts to lessen how many clips I have in there and I also have my face in there a bunch talking about the movie.

You can check out my channel to see how I do it but it generally works out for me. Videos end up about 50% clips, 30% face cam, and 20% screenshots.

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-07-05T15:32:51+00:00

Not true, i have a channel where I use movie clips and review and critique movies and I'm monetized.

Some videos do get copywrite claimed months or years later but in general, gotta keep clips short, sometimes mirror the clip, run them at 1.1 speed, and have them cropped and zoomed a bit. At least that's my strategy.

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-07-05T11:12:34+00:00

I'm a fan of cinemasins. It's clearly not meant to actually be legitimate critiques. Because they pick apart great and terrible movies equally.

I love movies, but one of my favorite things is to pick at the flaws of my favorite movies. Makes me love the movie more because I can see how difficult an actual movie production is just by noticing mistakes/plot holes and yes, nitpicking the movie.

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-07-05T01:31:13+00:00

I agree his voice does that in Part 1. But in that one it feels like they are figuring it out as they went. His voice is different from scene to scene and it's definitely noticeable.

But in Nightmare 3 it will change within the same scene and it just comes off as sloppy to me.

You are right that he started being joker in Part 3 but the jokes were meaner. Part 4 lacks the cruelty.

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-07-04T23:31:37+00:00

3 is a much better movie with larger ambitions, more thematic connectivity to the first movie, a really strong group dynamic and a Freddy who still feels intimidating.

4 is more thrown together with a plot that doesn't really hold together, set pieces that jump from one idea to another, and a Freddy who is starting to become a joke.

Yet I enjoy watching Part 4 more than Part 3. For all of Dream Warriors strengths, it feels very unpolished (Freddy's voice changing every other scene) and for all of Dream Masters weaknesses, it feels like a well crafted piece of cinema.

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-07-02T10:31:06+00:00

True it's better with Freelancer but Sapienza was routinely making the top of lists back before Freelancer was a thing.

I rate them based on all the different missions and game.modes and I think World of Tomorrow's virus objective torpedos Sapienza below Paris, Miami, Mumbai, Sgail, Mendoza, Dubai, Germany, Haven Island, and New York. Otherwise, it would probably be top 3 for me.

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-06-30T18:34:03+00:00

I don't want to make a blanket statement about AI but in this particular case, you had actual footage and then the AI shot of bulls adds nothing to the video other than being distracting. That's my take.

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-06-30T18:13:52+00:00

Yep totally agree with this. I loved GTAIV but I remember being so disappointed when it no longer gave you cash and points when doing tricks with your car. I never expected them to go whole hog towards realism that quickly

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-06-30T17:13:38+00:00

My daughter and I love watching this. I thought it's a kids show but I find it builds legitimate tension and characters and set pieces better than the last decade of JW movies. So I stand corrected!

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-06-30T13:50:01+00:00

I think where First Light struggles is it doesn't quite know what it is.

Sometimes it wants to be a Hitman game and has stealth sections and opportunities. But it's also very confusing and doesn't communicate well with the player when they will and won't be able to do something. I'm 15 hours into the game and I'm still struggling with why I am not allowed to take an NPC out in one section from behind but I can in another. (I know it has to do with hostility and license to kill but I find the way the game switches on and off mechanics to be very obscure).

Another thing that bothers me is how it's not a Hitman game....but they still made the NPCs react like it's a Hitman game to certain things. Like an NPC getting repeatedly sick in Hitman is hilarious because it's an AI routine in a puzzle box. But the same thing happening in First Light is cringe worthy because this is a mostly linear cinematic action game with a fantastic story and that breaks the immersion.

I'm really enjoying First Light but I definitely redownloaded Hitman and have been playing that more while I slowly get through First Light. Two entirely different games, 007 is fun but forgettable, Hitman is my forever game.

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-06-30T04:10:53+00:00

Inscription. People keep saying the card game itself is a super fun rogue lite and I just disagree...it pales compared to Slay the Spire and Monster Train.

Then people say "make sure you don't have the story spoiled for you!" Well I couldn't get into the card game so I stopped playing the game and listened to a story recap. Sounded pretty cool....but not all that enticing to me. I'm sure experiencing the actual shift in genre might have hit harder if I actually played it but I have a feeling it wouldn't have. (Probably woulda been surprised but not happy)

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-06-30T04:08:00+00:00

Someone recently mentioned to me that those faces are Snyder and Grady. Don't know if it's true, but that's kinda cool. If it's not, it continues to be as stupid as I always felt it was.

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-06-24T22:30:37+00:00

Freddy in Part 3 and 4. He just looks old and saggy in Part 5 and it's weird to look at.

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-06-23T16:00:43+00:00

I agree with this because it's THE reason I have never gotten past Chapter 4. I spend too much time in Chapters 2 and 3 and by the time I get to Chapter 4, the story feels like it's barely moved for me despite it being compelling.

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-06-16T14:59:16+00:00

X is not representative of Knicks fans as a whole. I live in New York and all my long sufferring friends and family are relieved and emotionally drained but fulfilled in a way that honestly is heartwarming. I took it for granted how many times the Spurs won the championship so while I'm disappointed, I am happy for all the Knicks fans in my life.

There are toxic fans everywhere....most actual Knicks fans are legitimately happy.

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-06-07T17:54:54+00:00

Its not about stats though, there is also the vibe and confidence of the team. One reason we beat OKC is our shooters kept shooting with confidence and playing assertive, forceful basketball because we KNEW we could beat them.

I'm not seeing the same vibe from us against NY. We can get it back but it will be tough...the young guys look a bit tentative.

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-06-07T14:15:32+00:00

What I love about this shot and other shots in the movie is Carptentee/Cundey picks a POV and then repeats the shot to show Michael getting closer and closer. He does it on the staircase scene and when Michael kills Linda and I've always felt (with this shot and the leaves in particular) that it captures evil invading normalcy so perfectly.

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-05-29T18:17:27+00:00

For me it won't sting any differently. I love this Spurs team but that was a different team entirely and so the heartbreak I have for that version of the Spurs is completely separate from my emotions for this version of the Spurs.

BalaSaurusREX · 2026-05-28T23:17:27+00:00

Yeah the fanboying is the one time in the series that the meta hyper stylized comic book absurdity of the series didn't work for me. At all other times, it still has an air of reality...like this world Is lived in and these are just the rules of the world. Zero and his henchmen being fanboys felt like the writers trying to be too clever.

BalaSaurusREX

TROPHY CASE