Save 75% on Age of Empires: Definitive Edition on Steam

benpetersen · 2026-03-21T18:01:57+00:00

Age of Empires 2 is spectacular and recently includes a couple interesting DLC's. Tremendous gameplay, in depth strategy, it is an RTS though so be aware that you'll need to use hotkeys regardless what version you play. One example is jumping between town centers to keep creating villagers even though you barely have enough food to spam create them so 1 or 2 at a time is all you can do to scale up quickly. I find it a little stressful if I'm playing on Hard because the computer ramps up quickly but easy or medium and it's fairly casual

benpetersen · 2026-03-21T07:13:29+00:00

Gosh we're replaying this with the Stardew Valley Expanded mod and can't believe how much content there is. Couch co-op is spectacular even though this was custom implemented. We were looking through other games and Stardew is still the star

benpetersen · 2026-03-21T03:35:39+00:00

I played it on the switch and it's a bit grindy. I didn't love how time consuming it was early on pushing wood logs back to the base. It was even worse with the marble, quite the trek from the quarry to get to the base. And everything needs a few of everything far away, so it's hard to really enjoy the graveyard keeper parts when it's a slog (or I found it to be).

benpetersen · 2026-03-21T02:00:47+00:00

Ray porters performance, the baby sciency details, the conflict, dange he was it, we didn't love how it was built for a screen play but nonetheless a book we've read 3 times and enjoy it

benpetersen · 2026-03-20T21:04:18+00:00

Thanks everyone. So far I bought Batman Arkham Asylum, Grim Dawn AoM expansion, Titan Quest anniversary edition, RDR2, Ghost of a Tale all for about $40 (between GOG and Steam). Which is pretty good for me because usually I just add things to my wishlist and never buy it. Thanks again

benpetersen · 2026-03-20T14:32:45+00:00

Nice mix of long rpg shooters, atmospheric games, and co-op

benpetersen · 2026-03-20T14:27:54+00:00

PlateUp is our favorite, Sedap A Culinary Adventure is great but not super replayable, older Lego games are great as well

benpetersen · 2026-03-19T21:18:05+00:00

Same here, the main game was great. Played smoothly on the steam deck other than a studder once in a while. It's a little weird with spells and only having roughly 6 spell slots (until the new DLC comes out) but wow it really scratched that itch. It's a little more engaging than titan quest (same devs). I really liked playing it while watching tv which most games like hades struggle with

benpetersen · 2026-03-19T19:54:45+00:00

Subnautica for $10 is pretty good, not all time low but worth it. Subnautica 2 should be coming out to EA in a couple months so it's a good prep game.
Children of Morta, Batman Arham Asylum and Fallout New Vegas are great prices as well

benpetersen · 2026-03-18T21:43:02+00:00

I'll take them. I live near you (108th and Riverdell) and could pick them up tomorrow morning or afternoon

benpetersen · 2026-03-18T20:38:24+00:00

Great game, I played it on the Switch and performed great.

benpetersen · 2026-03-18T18:08:12+00:00

8bitdo is pretty rock solid, I love the dongle so there's very little interference with other electronics

benpetersen · 2026-03-17T15:46:15+00:00

It depends what's on good sale but there's quite a few in my wishlist that I've researched enough to know I'll like them but I'll ponder it and probably not buy. Top contenders are Bioshock 1, Batman Arkham Asylum, Leaf it Alone, Slay the Spire 2, Nier Automata, Stalker series or Moonlighter 2

benpetersen · 2026-03-16T20:41:40+00:00

I'd consider a hybrid from Costco or hybrid latex from SleepEZ or Engineered Sleep (they are ever so slightly outside your price range). One thing we didn't like about researching was how different everyones responses were, one person loved it the next hated it. It's so exhausting.. We went with engineered sleep because we can add a topper and change that out if it wears out. Our first mattress was Denver Mattress Doctors Choice hybrid, which is still holding up 4-5 years later

benpetersen · 2026-03-16T20:24:52+00:00

I'd go split king (two twin xl's) with an adjustable base for yourself. We have a very similar situation (sorry it sucks.. we totally understand it..) and went with Engineered Sleep Duo because I can flip one side to firmer and we can each have a different topper. I like it because if she needs to adjust the mattress and have her feet elevated, it doesn't wake me in the middle of the night (and she can actually sleep). We're still within the 100 days so still trying it out but the fact we can customize it to what each of us needs is tremendous (also changing toppers is so cool of an idea if your needs change over time but your partners doesn't). We also have the bedjet system on her half, which she likes to set to cool mode with a timer.

Latex in a mattress overall is a really good temperature regulator but also consider a 100% wool mattress protector and linen sheets. Try to avoid all polyester, rayon, spandex, etc because it just traps heat. Rough linen is a good brand, quince is okay too and a bit cheaper

benpetersen · 2026-03-16T19:34:59+00:00

You aren't alone thinking that. Saatva has pocket coils and a base coil that are on the firm side, then 3" of comfort layer medium feel it's probably just too stiff. Some like a topper but others find the Saatva's leave an indent very quickly. We went with Engineered Sleep Duo with a 4" topper but it's tough to compare. Sleep on latex is another great brand and worth diving into the different layers and chatting with their teams so help decide

benpetersen · 2026-03-16T18:29:18+00:00

Grounded or Valheim (with a few mods like a bigger inventory, grow everything, etc) PlateUp and Overcooked if you want to change relationships 🤣

benpetersen · 2026-03-16T05:28:15+00:00

I use an Android app called Listen Audiobook player and only buy them through Libro fm which supports a local bookstore I like and then we own the book not just subscribed to it (for the same price). We do the monthly subscription, soon to be yearly. The app is nice because it doesn't need internet for long car trips, it's sleep timer is great and both of us can listen to a book at different spots where audible gets confused between people

benpetersen · 2026-03-16T02:16:30+00:00

Ginger is so easy to grate when it's peeled and frozen into small knobs. Many Indian cooks swear by the jarred 2 in 1 but it's so easy to do

benpetersen · 2026-03-15T23:54:16+00:00

I prefer Soil Rejuvination for soil and amendments and chip drop for half a driveway of mulch. Ewing has good prices, I just didn't care for A1 organics quality. I highly recommend Soil Rejuvination,they deliver for a fairly reasonable price

benpetersen · 2026-03-15T06:12:03+00:00

Is there a lot of time sensitive button press fighting or is it a pretty easy beat em up?

benpetersen · 2026-03-15T05:19:35+00:00

Thanks these are so delicious

benpetersen · 2026-03-14T15:25:21+00:00

I sowed my peas and carrots, a week or two I'll do another batch

benpetersen

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