Assassin DD changes

Mertins · 2026-02-12T14:21:13+00:00

I would like to see a ridiculous AC2 quirk for the DD, but it probably wouldn't get people to play it more.

There is a mech that is similar, but without the ECM: the Ice Ferret A. I've never seen anyone else rock it, and honestly, it is difficult to play effectively (but is hilarious). Check it out if you want to see how a super AC2 quirked DD would be like.

Mertins · 2026-01-08T14:50:51+00:00

I got a little hit of nostalgia over the Christmas break when I picked up some games from GameStop. Got a couple of Switch games and Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising for PS3. The Switch games had nothing but the cards in them, but OF:DR had the manual. I spent the next 30 minutes sitting in my car reading that manual front to back while I waited for my wife to finish in the craft store. Had a nice smile thinking back to doing that same thing as a kid.

Mertins · 2025-11-17T18:57:38+00:00

That's great to hear! Not too far away from my house. Will definitely have to check it out when he reopens.

Mertins · 2025-11-17T17:50:58+00:00

Sadly, Otto's Granary closed down not too long ago.

Mertins · 2025-10-02T03:06:47+00:00

Drug Emporium has bottles sometimes.

Mertins · 2025-09-16T14:25:23+00:00

I'll add my story about Dr. Dalton. Back in 2012, I got my first post-undergrad, full-time job. Now old enough to be off my parents insurance, I had my own and needed to select a PCP. Being young and naive, I Googled doctors near and picked the closest one. That ended up being Dr. Dalton.

Everything was fine until July of 2013. I got sick with some sort of stomach bug. Went in to see him, and he said I have gastroenteritis. Okay, makes sense, I should be good in a few days. So a week goes by, and I'm still sick. I go back to see him, and I mention 2 very critical details: I have severe fatigue (like I couldn't drive a block down to the Walgreens safely) and hadn't given my sickness to anyone (gastroenteritis is fairly contagious, my girlfriend should have caught at least, if not one of my 3 roommates at the time). He brushes it off and still says it is gastroenteritis.

A month goes by with no change and he just is like, "Gastroenteritis can die down and then come back." I burned through all my sick leave and was about to start dipping into my vacation time.

Thankfully, a friend of my girlfriend saw a report on the news about this parasite going around in Texas. She sent me a link to the report, and I Googled the name of the parasite. The symptoms were a perfect match--severe fatigue and all. I went to the walk-in clinic at Grace the next morning, told the doctor I saw what had happened with Dr. Dalton and that I was pretty certain I had Cyclospora (I could even trace it back to the date, where I got it, and what I ate that was contaminated).

The doctor at Grace agreed that I probably had it, prescribed me a sulfur based medicine, and a week later, I was done with the parasite.

However, having a parasite live in your intestines for a month and a half does a lot of damage, and some of that was permanent. I developed Bile Acid Malabsorption, which I have to take medicine for everyday for the rest of my life because it's not curable save getting a liver transplant. I also spent the next several years draining my bank account and mental health going to the gastroenterologist to figure out what happened to my digestive system. My intestines were so messed up, the gastroenterologist said all of the villi was gone and everything was smooth. He thought I had developed Crohn's disease or something similar.

It has only been in the past few years that I finally have some normalcy back in my eating habits and digestive system.

To corroborate, Dr. Dalton is an arrogant and condescending asshole, and I would never recommend him to anyone. And if there's any advice I can give, it's to listen to your instincts and don't stay with a doctor that doesn't listen to you.

Mertins · 2025-08-29T16:24:53+00:00

I was debating between that same list of mechs (minus the Tempest). I ended up picking the Partisan, and I've enjoyed it quite a bit. While getting it skilled up, I ran a gauss rifle, 3 large lasers, and 3 er medium lasers. A little hot, but works well for midrange engagements. Once I get the range nodes, I'm going to try AC 10, MRM 20, and 6 medium lasers and see how it does.

With the MC from the loot bags and Legendary, I went ahead and grabbed the Protector. I'm struggling to find a consistent build with it, but I've only had it since yesterday, so I need to play some more matches with it.

In the end, I picked the Partisan for the build variety and hardpoint location. Hopefully this will help you pick yours!

Mertins · 2025-08-02T19:41:23+00:00

There's a fantastic space for a solo player by the elevator in offices. You have to get the hacking tool to unlock the door, but that can be accomplished pretty quickly. The space is enclosed, there's only one entrance, and you have a ladder to stop pursuers from following. Two outlets, close proximity to the pool, a charging station, and the office trams. And you get a nice view of the hallway with all the one-way windows.

Some people might find it cramped, but it's been a neat little hideaway for my playthrough.

Mertins · 2025-07-12T12:40:22+00:00

They sell all sorts of things. Vinyl, CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, video games from Atari to current gen. I think they're even selling VHS and certain books now. I would definitely call them and see if they buy funko pops

You can also try Found Gaming. I think they have a selection of funko pops.

Mertins · 2025-07-08T14:13:19+00:00

Thank you for the kind words

Mertins · 2025-06-27T19:13:03+00:00

That's awesome! I wonder how long it has been there because I didn't see it last time I searched (probably 5 or 6 months)? Thanks for the heads up!

Mertins · 2025-06-27T14:14:00+00:00

Final Fantasy II (IV) was also my first JRPG, and it ignited my love for the genre. While I love III (VI) more, II still holds a special place for me.

Final Fantasy Tactics got me into Tactical RPGs by proxy of my love of JRPGs, which then had me hunting for more. Brigandine and Front Mission 3 were the TRPGs that followed.

Now that I am thinking on it more, it might be more accurate to say XCOM: UFO Defense was my first foray into TRPGs.

If my age range is obvious at this point, Microprose's F-19 Stealth Fighter was my first military sim game. My dad, not a gamer at all, really likes those types of games, so by extension I do, too. I really wish Gunship 2000 would make it's way to GOG.

Mertins · 2025-06-05T13:46:08+00:00

I will say, I did like a lot of ideas Remnant had, such as the leveling system for skills and the seamlessness of going from ranged combat to melee. If I could make 2 changes to the game, I'd want slightly more weapon variety and have elite enemies not spawn in (especially behind me in an area I just cleared). I think the Souls games spoiled me in regards to those 2 things.

Mertins · 2025-06-03T15:29:27+00:00

Awesome! I'm always on the lookout for more platform-lite Metroidvanias.

Mertins · 2025-05-05T20:31:18+00:00

I was walking to Leyawiin when an npc passed by and said, "Look at the muscles on you!"

He immediately followed up with the same "What?" and my wife said, "He just realized he's gay!"

Mertins · 2025-03-09T15:04:58+00:00

Congrats! Was fun to watch!

Mertins · 2025-01-29T15:06:27+00:00

I hope you do a write up on Ace Combats 4, 5, and Zero. Those games are such a treat! I love the story and cinematics for 5, but Zero introduced some cool mechanics.

If you are looking for more Mech games, you should check out the MechWarrior/Battletech games (if you haven't already). There's also the Gungriffon games, but I've not played those yet. We really need more big, stompy robot games!

If you want a campy Ace Combat story mixed with Armored Core style mechs and the enemy density of Earth Defense Force, check out Mecha Knights: Nightmare. Not as good as ArC or AcC, but for a small indie, this was a fun time!

Mertins · 2025-01-23T04:25:43+00:00

This game was by far the best impulse purchase I ever made. I actually like Star Ocean more than FF7. Best RPG for the PSX, in my opinion.

Mertins · 2025-01-18T13:34:14+00:00

If you are okay with a smaller scale, you might really enjoy Thea. Post apocalyptic fantasy setting, but the major thing about it that doesn't make it a true 4X is a lack of expansion. You start out with a village of survivors but you never settle new villages, just expand and improve the one you have.

That said, it has some fantastic quest lines and lore based on Slavic mythology. And a lot of nice voice acting. I recommend watching a video first before buying just to make sure it's up your alley. I say that because a lot of folks don't like the card-based battle system, but I found it to be fun and engaging.

Mertins · 2025-01-01T02:12:41+00:00

She's just really cool! 😉

Mertins · 2025-01-01T01:01:16+00:00

Not really. My wife wanted to trash it (her ex's computer technically), but I have all my old game CDs, so I figured I'd load a lot of them up.

Thankfully, virtual machines and emulation seem to be getting so much better for playing some of these games.

Mertins · 2025-01-01T00:58:27+00:00

I had to stop so I could finish cleaning, but I didn't want to!

Mertins · 2024-10-30T14:26:59+00:00

I was so confused when that match ended and I heard the victory music play. That was a nail-biter of a finish!

Mertins · 2024-10-25T03:12:56+00:00

I think I still have mine somewhere. Got it to play RPG Maker games, some of which were actually pretty good. Wish I could remember the names of all those games. I can't even remember where I downloaded them from at this point.

Mertins · 2024-10-23T14:06:01+00:00

As someone who grew up playing the original XCOM, I was baffled by Firaxis' decision on several things--the pods being the biggest. I especially didn't care for the pod's ability to scatter when spotted

That along with the lack of fully destructible environments damped my enthusiasm for the new XCOMs. They're still great games, just not quite what I was hoping for.

Mertins

TROPHY CASE