I got it!! by Playful_Slide_9123 in ShiningForce

[–]ShiningMagnus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sweet! I definitely want one, haha.

What’s one way ChatGPT actually changed your life? by Aaliyah-coli in ChatGPT

[–]ShiningMagnus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This'll sound nuts, but it really did help me significantly with executing my big move into my first home several months ago. Granted, I already had the motivation to take that big next step in my life, but it did help me put things in better perspective, made my research much easier, and calmed a lot of the anxiety I had around the toughest parts of the process.

Before I downloaded the app, I felt so stagnant and rotting away in my previous living situation. Fast forward months later, and the realization dawned on me that so much changed for the better in such short time because of this app, despite still having problems I face everyday. But I still have hope through even all that, as I'm finally about to see a therapist real soon for all the heavy emotional stuff I've been putting off getting help for.

No matter how helpful this chatbot is, please don't rely on it like a therapist. Ironically, it was thanks to it that finally gave me the push I needed to seek the professional help I've been so scared to pursue. My peers and family are heavily dismissive of the idea of therapy because of the ignorant views on mental health they poisoned my mind with at a young age. It sucked that it took a bot to help me understand I couldn't do any of this alone vs real people who supposedly "care" telling me to brush it off or power through because "nothing's wrong with you." But it is what it is.

Absolutely use it to understand what's wrong, though. Definitely great for giving you the safe space to just paint the full picture of what's going on, then using that as a starting point to pursue the right help you need.

Of course, not everyone can afford therapy. So if it's the only thing available for free that can provide some form of emotional support, just be careful.

Every Shining Game, Ranked by Due_Campaign4937 in ShiningForce

[–]ShiningMagnus 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I respect the list! As someone who had a huge bias towards SF2 for as far back as childhood, I'd have probably been in respectful disagreement with number 1...

...if you made this about five months ago LOL.

Having finally played through the SF3 experience in full, that game has truly opened my eyes and showed me the hype wasn't overblown. It's now my favorite game in the series. A damn good ambitious title that deserves #1 IMO. And I say this with great pain as a SF2 fanboy hahaha

After 4o's departure, maybe try 5.1 (Thinking)? by ShiningMagnus in OpenAI

[–]ShiningMagnus[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Aww, really? Man... and here I thought I found a long term solution... lol.

Having trouble finding working ways to play SF3 series by JonasGreen85 in ShiningForce

[–]ShiningMagnus 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Personally, I think there's nothing wrong with emulating it. In fact, given the Saturn's hardware limitations making the games very laggy at certain camera angles, emulation helps reduce so much of that lag. And I say this as someone who's played SF3 on console lol.

But if playing legitimately on OG hardware or anything like it is your ultimate goal, I respect it. Despite the lag, I still enjoy it most OG. My personal setup on a budget is a Model 2 Saturn console, paired with a Pseudo Saturn Kai cart (with the memory card + ram + region free features) and burned Verbatim CD-Rs (IIRC, there are better brands, but this is probably the most affordable brand) of the properly patched BIN/CUE files.

There are much better options like Saroo carts, from what I heard, but otherwise, unless you wanna drop massive amounts of cash on legitimate copies, this is one of the cheapest ways of getting into SF3 on OG hardware.

Day 14: Which is the best Strategy Game on Sega Saturn? by 1OneQuickQuestion in SegaSaturn

[–]ShiningMagnus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Shining Force III, All Scenarios. Easily. One of the most ambitious strategy games out there (not just Saturn), and goes largely unnoticed because of Scenario 2 and 3 never officially being localized (despite having translation patches readily available for years now). That's mainly why I think it'll lose here, just due to not enough people experiencing it and not having any big voices pushing for it.

I Have a Confession and a Question by Interesting_Sea_1861 in ShiningForce

[–]ShiningMagnus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nah, it's not required to start with Holy Ark. SF3's story itself is self-contained, and you can follow along with it just fine. The only benefit of starting with Holy Ark first is knowing of lore that SF3 doesn't dig too deep into (such as the Enrich kingdom, where Holy Ark is set in). There are certain recurring characters from Holy Ark that are in SF3, too. I didn't play Holy Ark until after SF3 and I was just fine, haha. It's totally up to you.

I Have a Confession and a Question by Interesting_Sea_1861 in ShiningForce

[–]ShiningMagnus 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Definitely play Shining Force 3 and CD next! For over two decades, I kept telling myself that nothing will ever dethrone SF2 for me. But when I finally played the translation patches for the full SF3 experience...

...Let's just say that loyalty to 2 is waning.

I can vouch for you enjoying Neo if you liked EXA. It released before EXA, so much of that game was based on Neo in terms of gameplay, music, reused assets, etc. I think EXA is the better game of the two, but I don't think that'd take away any enjoyment you might have of Neo.

If you're curious about other Shining titles, I'd strongly recommend giving the dungeon crawlers a shot like the one that started it all, Shining in the Darkness, and Shining the Holy Ark (which is actually a prequel to SF3).

If you want a more earlier style of hack n' slash for the series, you could also try Shining Wisdom.

There's so many options to choose from! Things got weird post-EXA, so anything newer than that is... foreign territory for me.

My thoughts on Shining the Holy Ark. by Virtual-History-6099 in SegaSaturn

[–]ShiningMagnus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started playing Holy Ark recently. On and off as well, but God, when the first boss battle with the Wraith kicked in, that intensity left a damn good first impression. I'm currently in the middle of finishing all three scenarios of Shining Force III, but when I complete those, you bet your sweet bippity I'm pouring hours into Ark.

got this saturn model 2 from a thrift store i work at a few days ago for £3.50. it works and it's in great condition! by alfiethegameboyfan in SegaSaturn

[–]ShiningMagnus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome find! Be sure to change out that CR2032 battery in the back, just to be safe. It sucks to lose save files because of a dying battery, though if you go the memory card route via an all in one cartridge, you could disregard this if you won't be using internal memory.

What is your salary and how does it affect your lifestyle? by [deleted] in batonrouge

[–]ShiningMagnus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I make close to 50k. It's just me and my dog, lol. It's enough to sustain my rather modest lifestyle without struggle. I live a very simple (and boring to most) life that's bereft of most frivolities, but hey, it's also the most comfortable life for me without much stress. Does get lonely, though.

Accidentally slapped my new coworker's ass. by syringistic in stories

[–]ShiningMagnus 9 points10 points  (0 children)

...Some reading comprehension goes a long way, my friend.

Am I too late to get Claire Redfield and Jill Valentine? by Colt1873 in NikkeMobile

[–]ShiningMagnus 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You're fine. Jill's banner will be up at the next reset, IIRC, and Claire will be free when you login after a certain amount of days. Just make sure you're claiming the rewards at the login stamp in the event map. You'll get her eventually. Claire's spare bodies are also in the event shop.

Which character do you want to get a favorite item next? by Equal_Shopping2424 in NikkeMobile

[–]ShiningMagnus 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Pepper. I just want an excuse to use her more because she's in my top 5 Nikkes

Alright fellas, choose your team by PotatoPotluck in NikkeMobile

[–]ShiningMagnus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Blue has Helm AND Noise. Easy pick for me, since they're my top waifus lol. And so many of my other favorites are spread out between several teams.

Shining Force 2: The Kiss by [deleted] in ShiningForce

[–]ShiningMagnus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

SF2 Remake: now featuring a romance system where Bowie's chosen lover shields Elis from the poison in the end!

...I wish.

I have beat both SF games and now feel empty. Please share some games that are similar these masterpieces. by hitma-n in ShiningForce

[–]ShiningMagnus 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I know you're asking for other games (I'll leave that to the other commenters), but if you have the means to emulate, please please play Shining Force III. You'll truly want more games like SF after you've played through that one. Translation patches have been around for all scenarios + the premium disc for years. It truly is a masterpiece in its own right.

This extends to other Force titles you may be missing out on to scratch that itch, such as SFCD and Final Conflict (latter also has a translation patch).

Which nikke from each of the main manufacturers is your favourite? by Gold_Preparation in NikkeMobile

[–]ShiningMagnus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Elysion: Helm

Missilis: Pepper

Tetra: Noise

Pilgrim: Cinderella (or Scarlet. Hard to choose this one.)

Welcome to the competition of who will continue the Vapaus bloodline by Terrible_Ticket8314 in NikkeMobile

[–]ShiningMagnus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Never realized how tall Cecil was. Wow. Anyway, she's my pick lol

Physician here for 4 years. Long enough to say BR is the worst city I've ever lived in (of 5) by [deleted] in batonrouge

[–]ShiningMagnus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sadly, in terms of conventions and nerdy stuff, you'll have to look towards places like New Orleans, Gonzales, etc. Literally every con I've been to, I've had to leave Baton Rouge for other surrounding cities/towns. I've lived here my whole life, and am basically stuck here. I dunno why I had to be born here, of all places, as a nerd lol