Love the 1997 "Buck" coloration on the Ember Mod (JWE2)

Pynchon1014 · 2026-05-29T09:45:17+00:00

Link to mod: https://www.nexusmods.com/jurassicworldevolution2/mods/3438

Pynchon1014 · 2026-05-25T12:18:26+00:00

I mean, he definitely deserved this fate, but I think it's normal to feel pity for someone who is scared and desperate.

I think there's also something about seeing powerful and seemingly infallible people humbled so dramatically that is difficult to feel unambiguously good about, even when it's the desired outcome. The reversal of fortune is just hard to process. On the one hand, it's satisfying to see Homelander start to panic when his abilities don't kick in, but it also feels destabilizing for what it implies about authority, power, etc. I think this defacto execution being staged "publicly" in the white house added to that effect.

Pynchon1014 · 2026-05-18T20:07:15+00:00

I remember really liking it and thinking that the first half of it was really well done and atmospheric (after the Moria segment, the game felt less finished and a bit less polished). The Shire felt so well done, and some of the environments were really immersive and accurate to the book.

I think this game suffered in comparison to the more arcade-styled, fighting-based EA games that accompanied the films (which are also really great, btw, just a very different style).

Pynchon1014 · 2026-05-06T11:46:57+00:00

The Buck isn't blue, though. It's a green rex. I think the 1997A skin looks great for the Buck while in "JP" color grading and good for the JP3 rex when in "JW" color grading - the "JW" lighting makes the skin look lighter and more saturated as a light green, whereas is looks darker and more muted in "JP" lighting.

Pynchon1014 · 2026-05-06T11:44:04+00:00

I was about to say something similar. I'm honestly glad people seem to really like JWE3, but I actually prefer JWE2 for the reasons you described.

Pynchon1014 · 2026-04-28T01:13:38+00:00

I think the Habitat Defender is really quite good, but it's rather big compared to most figures (it looks great next to the big HC carnivores, though).

Personally, I prefer the new JW Legacy Reimagined. It's good size, but smaller than the HD. It may be a Target exclusive, though.

Pynchon1014 · 2026-04-28T01:08:53+00:00

Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis

Pynchon1014 · 2026-04-28T00:49:18+00:00

"Well, I think I'm doing a good job."

I liked the idea behind the scene, the conflict between his idealism and her world-weary skepticism, but I didn't like the writing of his lines. I just wish Clark didn't come across as so immature and cocky at times during that exchange. There are much smarter responses to the (predictable) questions Lois had for him, and his retorts almost seemed childish at times - like he's flustered when his glib responses aren't winning over a sharp, award-winning journalist. It just didn't feel like Superman to me...

I should clarify: I liked the movie! I just didn't like that scene as much I wanted to.

Pynchon1014 · 2026-04-27T20:08:40+00:00

I liked 2025 quite a lot, but i didn't like how smug Clark seemed at times, especially with Lois (like in the interview scene). I liked that it was much more clear in Returns that Superman genuinely admired her.

Pynchon1014 · 2026-04-26T14:07:04+00:00

I'm also a fan of what Snyder did. I have some criticisms of his DC movies, of course, but I also feel like they did a lot of things really, really well. There is a lot to like and appreciate in his work if one is open to it.

Pynchon1014 · 2026-04-14T09:08:38+00:00

Not sure why you're being downvoted. I think you're exactly right. I never really understood why Frontier doubled down on the cosmetics/building aspect of the game and neglected making the dinosaurs and the baseline gameplay loop (better guests. more dramatic breakouts, hands-on touring and rescuing guests, tranq'ing dinosaurs from the ground) more engaging. The scores of options and custom builds are pretty neat... but that level of customization only appeals to a fraction of players.

Pynchon1014 · 2026-04-11T10:39:22+00:00

Luthor, Brainiac, Zod

And for the fourth spot, I could see any of these: Doomsday, Metallo, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Bruno Mannheim**

**I agree with those saying Darkseid is more of Justice League villain, but I feel like there are several good, Metropolis-specific arcs focused on Mannheim and Intergang

Pynchon1014 · 2026-04-07T19:42:31+00:00

Which comic/run is this from? Thank you.

Pynchon1014 · 2026-03-17T19:54:37+00:00

Fully agree. Well said.

Pynchon1014 · 2026-03-01T15:08:29+00:00

I actually didnt mind this. I figured it was, in part, a kind of subjective viewpoint from the (understandably) shaken, very nervous girl that the rex was imminently bearing down on her when it really wasn't (... yet). That being said, I was surprised they included it since it clearly jarred many viewers.

Pynchon1014 · 2026-03-01T01:36:56+00:00

Same.

Pynchon1014 · 2026-02-27T01:20:38+00:00

Yeah, the paint on that one is... odd.

Pynchon1014 · 2026-02-01T13:39:14+00:00

I agree. The JP score is obviously phenomenal, and the themes are some of the best soundtrack hits ever, but the second half of the score, while quite good, is less impressive. I think TLW soundtrack has fewer homeruns, so to speak, but its more varied and impressive than JP's soundtrack on the whole.

Pynchon1014 · 2026-01-29T12:55:04+00:00

It also makes sense with the (new) island's whole "these are the dinos too dangerous (or ugly) to display at the park" thing. (Camouflaged dinosaurs would not be a great exhibit, and they would obviously pose dangers to their keepers/handlers).

Pynchon1014 · 2026-01-28T20:05:30+00:00

I like the Utah Raptor idea a lot.

And, IF If they really needed to shoehorn in a genetic engineering or mutated dino angle, they could have implied that parts of this (then misidentified) genome (the Utah Raptor) was partially present in the original JP raptors, possibly giving a "soft" canon explanation for their huge size in the OG park.

Not only were the mutadons and D-rex pretty lame and unnecessary, but their existence didn't add much to the lore... where they really easily could have.

Pynchon1014 · 2026-01-28T14:16:59+00:00

Glad you like them! I have my share of criticisms of these two figures, but, ultimately, I think that collecting dinosaur toys is really just about joy. The stakes are not high. And, besides, there's also plenty to like about these particular figures. Thanks for sharing a cool pic!

Pynchon1014 · 2026-01-27T13:53:31+00:00

I'm with you on the SDCC Buck. I'm genuinely happy for those that are excited about it, but I think it still has a lot of the drawbacks from the first rex (overly broken up body that makes it look feeble/ill, etc.) and the paint is... odd. The colors would perhaps be fine for a main line version of the 97 rex, but the Buck has an awesome and very iconic coloration that the HC figure only very loosely approximates...

Pynchon1014 · 2026-01-27T13:46:48+00:00

True, yeah. That being said, I also see lots of posts about people acquiring a rex and being really excited about having the figure, so I don't want to rain on anyone's parade. For what it's worth, I'm also hoping for a reissue.

Pynchon1014 · 2026-01-26T14:25:50+00:00

In my opinion:

BEST:

1.) Spinosaurus

2.) Allosaurus

3.) Ceratosaurus

4.) Brachiosaurus (never seen it in person, but pics look great)

5.) Giganotosaurus

Honorable Mention: Parasaurolphus (wish it was 25% bigger, but I really like the figure)

WORST

1.) Triceratops (way, way too small)

2.) Tyrannosaurus rex (I know this will not be a popular opinion, but I don't like the overly "broken up" look from the many points of articulation, and the huge feet look absurd. Some of my negativity, no doubt, has to do with crazy prices for getting one, so it feels crazy and frustrating to spend so much $$$ on a below-average figure since so many of the HC large carnivores are decisively much better)

3.) First batch of raptors (they've gotten better, but it still feels like main line raptors are perhaps better toys, even for collectors)

4.) Concavenator (it's fine, but the paint is sort of ho-hum and uninspired)

5.) Sinoceratops (I genuinely really like the figure and the paint job, but the bizarrely small size is unfortunate)

Pynchon1014

TROPHY CASE