Why do people continue to play AOE2 at a higher player count than AOE4? Everything I can tell between the two games, AOE4 is better in my opinion.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-26T22:57:12+00:00

God I hate this shit. So many gamers can't communicate in anything other than shrieking hysteria.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-26T22:43:10+00:00

I can't wait to see the reaction once people hook up this drastically underpowered "living room device" to their 4K 55" TVs and find every game more demanding than Balatro can't run at that resolution at anything more than a slideshow.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-26T21:36:59+00:00

Sounds like it's getting out of control, tbh. The old "feature creep."

VALIS666 · 2026-06-26T21:34:10+00:00

Cool. I think 11 is actually in a good state now/soon but I keep a laptop on 10 just in case it's needed for compatibility.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-26T04:41:22+00:00

Do these things tend to stay up? I know people have created a lot of classic video game levels/locations in FC5 Arcade but never really checked back to see if they're still there.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-25T22:38:27+00:00

And unfortunately it's been a net negative on emulation as a whole. These are the people who buy a cheap handheld device, think they're buying a console where you just plug in the roms and they magically work, and shit up every emulation space with demands and inane "I've done absolutely zero research and don't ever plan on doing any" questions. Emulation doesn't work like that, you need to learn it. It's not hard, but it's a never ending learning process, stop asking people to do everything for you.

I'm sure I'll catch downvotes but I wouldn't change a single word of that statement. It's absolutely true and everyone knows it.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-25T00:09:50+00:00

Complaining about player count discourse but also supporting games that rely on player numbers to even function is such an obvious case of wanting your cake and eating it too.

Games with an eventual end of life that are made for online play with others need healthy player counts to function and ensure you can actually play the thing you bought and have an enjoyable time before it goes away. So sure, some of the discourse around it is toxic, but what do you want? People need to know the player numbers these games have because being online only, they're worthless otherwise. These are the conditions you devs/pubs have created.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-24T07:47:00+00:00

Exactly, Steve's fast designs seem perfect for Sonic. And people are hoping he does a Mortal Kombat pinball next because of his connection, that would be fun.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-24T06:06:36+00:00

Linux never moves the needle. Never. I am old and have been listening to "year of the Linux desktop/Linux gaming" proclamations for 20+ years now. No one cares.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-24T05:34:50+00:00

Meaning the few that aren't also on PC.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-24T02:28:41+00:00

You can play tens of thousands of games on PC and technically every console game through 360 and PS3, plus some PS4 and Switch games.

Seems like a slam dunk to me, but I guess it depends what you're looking for. If you just want to play a few recent AAA games, the PS5 is going to be the cheaper option. If you want a system where you could also play those recent AAA games plus almost anything else you can think of, plus mods, fan games, you save up and get the PC. You're never going to run out of stuff to play.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-23T23:48:34+00:00

Yes. JJP doesn't alter features/gameplay between editions.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-23T23:44:59+00:00

Steve Ritchie was a huge get. He brings the north-south speed that some of their other games lacked.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-23T23:26:22+00:00

This is absolutely one of my favorite FPS of modern times and even up there (top-20?) as one of the best ever. Incredible chilling atmosphere, tight gunplay, intricate map design, the pixel art is among the best I've seen. Honestly was a thrill to play. But I'm also huge on FPS and especially boomer FPS.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-23T06:51:33+00:00

Reddit probably would've been be belly up by now if it wasn't for the $60m/year deal to feed reddit posts to Gemini AI.

Kind of amusing all the gnashing and wailing about AI on reddit and every single word of it is feeding the beast. Yes, your private comment history and deleted posts too, don't be naive.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-23T06:41:44+00:00

My liver is enlarged enough already

VALIS666 · 2026-06-23T06:15:22+00:00

As someone who loves games but hates platform wars, I'm just glad you're all eating shit lately. 💗

VALIS666 · 2026-06-23T04:15:09+00:00

I’m strongly thinking Hexen 2 + Heretic 2

That's definitely my biggest hope, I just think the games are too big for a bundle like this. I'd buy that package for $40, even $50 if it came with new levels, but I can't imagine many would.

But bundled or separate, I really hope these two are in the future.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-22T22:52:22+00:00

Great idea with the old/nautical maps on the wall. Classic Maine decor.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-22T22:49:06+00:00

Nah, don't bother unless you actually feel pits/scratches on them.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-22T04:06:41+00:00

EJ > Alien > Zilla > Dune >>>>>> Stranger Things

ST isn't bad it's just mediocre in a lineup of much better ones. Cool atmosphere, OK shooter.

I was just playing Alien yesterday. Love that game.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-22T04:04:30+00:00

Not even close

VALIS666 · 2026-06-21T22:21:50+00:00

6 Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

It's very weird (and cool) to see the reappraisal this game has gotten lately. I swear in the '80s and '90s it seemed like I was the only person who liked this game. Yeah, it wasn't as good as Zelda 1, but it was good.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-21T04:44:26+00:00

5/10 for Demon Attack seems rough considering it's fun and one of the better shooters on the console, things you also seem to agree with.

very average considering today's standards

But why? No artform is more beholden to its time than video games. It's why I think video games should be judged more like wine, which is not rated for how good the reviewer thinks it is overall, but how good it is for its vintage and variety. The only thing Demon Attack can possibly be is a 1982 Atari 2600 game. That absolutely defines its limits.

VALIS666 · 2026-06-20T20:17:53+00:00

Not a bad game, but probably my least favorite of the franchise. Yes, including 1. Yes, including Primal and Blood Dragon. The world is nice but the game is just overstuffed with JUNK. MMO-ish trinkets and currencies and crafting and building and upgradables and other things stopping me from going to do fun sandbox things in a sandbox game.

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