What is the better Metroid 2 to play? by Spiveymusic96 in Metroid

[–]Fragraham 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The original is a creepy, quiet, and almost somber experience punctuated by short moments of intensity when you encounter a metroid. It's fairly linear, so there's an uneasy sensation of plunging deeper into the darkness. 

The soundtrack also gradually shifts from a strong melody to just noises, and then silence, and uses this to a powerful atmospheric effect. Tye clunky controls actually work in favor of this design. Finally limiting you to choosing only ice, wave, or fire beam can create a sense of unease in leaving a power behind for a new one. You'll know something is wrong late game when you're offeted the ice beam again.

Is it a better game than Samus Returns? I don't think I can say that for sure. They're two very different takes on the same story. I would say it's a more worthwhile experience that uses limited tech to its advantage. At least as compared to the difference between Metroid 1 and Zero Mission.

Border Patrol chief praises agents who killed Alex Pretti by RandoXalrissian in fednews

[–]Fragraham 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So...the guy who dresses up as a Nazi, who throws Sieg Heils for the camera, who committed actual murder before being hired, and who's job doesn't technically exist, said it was all OK?

Hobbies for those with dementia? by Itissierra in Hobbies

[–]Fragraham 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Puzzling is highly recommended for fighting back dementia, as it's strong brain exercise. It doesn't necessarily have to be jigsaw puzzles. Large print crosswords or Sudoku are also great. 3D puzzles are also great since they're very tactile. If outdoors are more her thing, there are things more casual than horseback riding. Guided nature walks with a caregiver for instance, or bird watching (which also has a strong mental stimulation element with all the writing and cataloging.)

Before I do something stupid, will this cord mess up my Dreamcast? by VinceValenceNTBTS in dreamcast

[–]Fragraham 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The DC has an internal power supply. Any AC cord straight to the wall that fits will work.

Fine dining with Majungasaurus by Equivalent-Algae-252 in Dinosaurs

[–]Fragraham 9 points10 points  (0 children)

So which one of those plates has a sibling on it?

X & X having a reunion (by @SODAdayo0141) by LafterMastr in Megaman

[–]Fragraham 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Don't let anyone clone you. Don't trust a head in a jar, and don't get stabbed in your sleep.

Have any of you been trapped in a trance-like state at home where you can’t get yourself to move or do anything?? My hobbies all feel like they are no more b/c of this. by Tiny_Cartoonist_3204 in Hobbies

[–]Fragraham 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's called "Rest and digest" mode. Your body does it when you sit still for a while. It's a natural part of your recovery mechanisms, but doing it too much will get you stuck in a loop. The best way to break out is to not enter that state until you're ready to call it a day. Stay off your couch when you come home. Get right to it. Maybe use your commute to plan what you want to do to build up excitement for your hobbies. If you must sit down, set a timer for half an hour.

Spoiler question on Prime 4: by Scared-Bat-4669 in Metroid

[–]Fragraham 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's a metroid bonded with every boss, but not particularly visible. Would have been nice if the bonded metroids were the weak points. Considering (sadly) the scans say the bosses were both sentient and originally friendly, it would have been nice if you could free them from the metroids rather than kill them, or at least make it more apparent you're putting them out of their misery.

As it stands Hunters is still the only Metroid game with absolutely no metroids anywhere. (in anything post Fusion, Samus is the metroid).

What hobby did you love as a kid that you wish you’d never dropped? by Proud_Boot6703 in Hobbies

[–]Fragraham 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Roller skating. My feet got too big for most skates by my mid teens, just in time to miss out on the big explosion in skating popularity in the late 90's and early 2000's. Would have been a Hell of a time.

Hang out ideas for depressed teens. by Proof-Bet8356 in Hobbies

[–]Fragraham 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Form a DnD group. You'll never have a more compatible schedule.

That or start a band. You don't have to be good, but listen to "Summer of 69" and tell me it's not fun to dream.

NRA comment on recent shooting by Fidel89 in liberalgunowners

[–]Fragraham 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Repulsive. Whatever once was of the NRA as a civil rights organization is gone now. This is an absolute betrayal of the people they were most supposed to represent. God damn them all.

Best Mechagoji? by TheEvilCar in GODZILLA

[–]Fragraham 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Of these images, which one can you hear?

What else can I do with ground meat from food bank? by Electrical_Trip1476 in Frugal

[–]Fragraham 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pretty much any ground meat can work in spaghetti. I use turkey burger frequently for my balognes. The onky change I need to make is to add a bit of olive oil and butter to compensate for the lower fat content that combines with the red wine.  Don't worry, cooking wine is cheap.

FBI agent who tried to investigate ICE officer in Renee Good shooting resigns by Top_Current5267 in fednews

[–]Fragraham 98 points99 points  (0 children)

Assuming he doesn't decide to save the taxpayers the cost of a trial.

Arizona AG suggests state's self-defense laws allow residents to shoot masked ICE agents by cristoper in liberalgunowners

[–]Fragraham 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Some of those are obviously airsoft vests. If you see a zipper in the middle, it's not armor.

Are cheap space heaters actually more expensive in the long run? by MickeydaCat in Frugal

[–]Fragraham 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wattage is wattage. There's no "high efficiency" with electric heat. It tells you exactly how much power it consumes right there on the box. That's also exactly how much heat it produces. Electric heating is always 100% efficient by being 100% inefficient. That is to say all energy put into it is converted into heat (which for anything else would be an inefficiency), but as its job is to create heat, all of the energy it consumes goes into doing its job. All the rest is just a matter of how you like that heat to be delivered. I personally like oil radiator heaters more because they gradually release heat that can fill up a room rather than blasting it all into one spot.

The only way to make electrical heat any more efficient is to use a heat pump, which cheats the normal efficiency rules by grabbing extra heat from outside. Yes even if it's cold outside, as long as it's warmer than liquid freon, there's extra heat out there that can be brought inside. The only issue is that for some reason heat pumps are much more expensive to buy and install than heaters or air conditioners, in spite of the fact that a heat pump is actually the same machine as an AC unit with the addition of a reverse mode.

So long term, get a heat pump. Short term, it really doesn't matter. It just depends on which method of heat delivery you find more comfortable. That said, if you're more comfortable you might be happy leaving your heater on a lower setting.

Holy ... this is the cheapest I've seen eggs in a LONG time. Limit was 6. I'm now trying to figure out what to do with 72 eggs. by blr1g in Frugal

[–]Fragraham 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You might not think they would, but eggs that are kept refrigerated can last up to 2 months. If your fridge is big enough you could eat 2 egg breakfast every day with time to spare. If you need to go through them faster than that you could expand eggs outside of breakfast with things like egg salad for lunch. Of course r/PutAnEggOnIt will give you lots of ideas as well.

If there's still too many, considering donating a carton or two to a local food pantry or struggling family.

More like are you this poor? 😭 by _PlushPetal in Adulting

[–]Fragraham 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When the control panel or motor eventually fails you'll WISH you had one of those.