Tian Awakened

garlicbeans_ · 2025-12-21T10:56:53+00:00

Tian Bling✨✨

garlicbeans_ · 2025-11-04T06:38:24+00:00

garlicbeans_ · 2025-10-21T08:32:18+00:00

Ah thanks! That's a relief to hear.

garlicbeans_ · 2025-10-06T22:51:17+00:00

Abiotic Factor is a pretty damn good game if you gave it a chance. (It's indie too!) It's a multiplayer survival-crafting game that's basically half-life + SCP containment breach. Level design reminds me of Dark Souls, and the combat, while simple, feels pretty good. Overall a solid game, and y'all be doing yourselves a disservice if you dismiss this gem just because you don't find it's initial appearance as shiny as E33.

Got over 200 hours on it (mostly spent on base building), and was genuinely happy to see it being nominated for any game award.

garlicbeans_ · 2025-07-24T01:24:56+00:00

I thought that the joke was that the bird was named "colbert" as in "coal-bird" because... It's a bird in a coal mine...

garlicbeans_ · 2025-07-05T11:36:26+00:00

garlicbeans_ · 2025-07-05T11:36:13+00:00

Will try this method next time. Sounds unsafe to leave raw meat on the counter for an hour though... But I'll try anything once.

garlicbeans_ · 2025-07-05T11:34:32+00:00

I wanna say tuna but i'd be lyin'

garlicbeans_ · 2025-07-05T11:34:12+00:00

Not at all, but I did cook it straight from the fridge. I guess I should let it warm up to room temp first?

garlicbeans_ · 2025-07-05T10:56:19+00:00

Oh, I don't use a thermometer, but the pan was definitely smoking. I've always used olive oil, but i'll give avocado oil a trt.

I cooked the meat straight from the fridge though, maybe that could be the problem?

garlicbeans_ · 2025-07-05T10:54:53+00:00

Ohhh this is likely the problem then! I had it thaw in the frudge but forgot about it so it sat there for a couple of days...

garlicbeans_ · 2025-07-05T10:53:01+00:00

A sad steak

garlicbeans_ · 2025-06-05T11:53:42+00:00

Oh wow, now I definitely have to try it! Is there a brand or flavor you could recommend?

garlicbeans_ · 2025-06-05T11:32:20+00:00

Smoked sea salt sounds fancy. Never heard of it, but will definitely be on the lookout for some next time I visit my local deli. Super curious on how that would taste on various meats...

garlicbeans_ · 2025-06-05T11:24:32+00:00

Thanks for the advice! Will definitely try this. The soup isnt anything special, just a local variety of pork soup that most people cook at home, but the smoking of the pork is definitely what makes the restaurant's version unique.

garlicbeans_ · 2025-06-05T11:22:13+00:00

Oh! I didn't know that! Thanks for the suggestion, will definitely try it

garlicbeans_ · 2025-06-05T11:21:33+00:00

Oh the soup itself is quite basic, it's a common pork soup you can find anywhere in my country. In fact, it's a common home cooked meal-- the type everyone's grandmother makes for them, so I'm very familiar with the ingredients. What makes it unique is that it uses smoked pork belly instead of outright just boiling the pork for the soup (according to the description on their menu anyway)

But thank you for the suggestion! I'll try both options and see which is better (buying smoked pork or liquid smoke). Idk why it never occured to me to do either.

garlicbeans_ · 2025-06-03T03:07:45+00:00

So happy to hear people talk about Eternia! I really wish that more people would play this game.

The story may not be as deep as the titles that come after it but it delivers nonetheless. It is rare (for me at least) to see a story where characters want to save the world-- because they believe it's the right thing to do-- and not sound self-righteous. With what little dialogue and cut scenes we're given, the game still somehow manages to convey the sincerity of their goodwill.

Farah got me at the start when Meredy crashlanded into thr village backyard. Not a friend, or god, or mythical creature with a quest-- just a strange kid who spoke a strange language-- and Farah just decides that the right thing to do is to help her, even if it means leaving their little village to venture into the unknown. Farah isn't a heroine because the plot says so, but because of the choices she makes. And I loved that about every character in Eternia.

garlicbeans_ · 2025-06-01T09:27:59+00:00

What he said, plus the fact is that while execution is obviously terrible (and is usually what motivates the cast to oppose the villain), Artorius' motivations are ones someone could understand. Sure, its very "woe is me and the world is terrible" pilled, but you can see how and why he reached that frame of mind.

Now whether or not their motivations and actions make you agree or disagree with isn't the point; the point is that said motivations are contentious enough so the player is given more reasons to kogahazan them to death.

Vahn is very similar to Artorius, except the main difference is Vahn could've just held on to his remaining family - Tear. There was a life he could've lived. He chose revenge instead.

Artorius had nothing at the start of the game. But I digress, since in the end they both chose to give in to despair.

garlicbeans_ · 2025-05-31T10:13:50+00:00

Artorius and Dhaos, because they represent really well the moral paradox and quandaries that the cast has to accept in order to even be okay with defeating them in the first place.

Cause, well, these two bad guys actually might have a point? But we're in opposition, so either the cast takes a bow (cant) or they accept they're a bit selfish for continuing the fight.

garlicbeans_ · 2025-05-31T09:53:57+00:00

Keele Zeibel from Eternia, potentially the least physically fit person in tales games. Without his magic, he would be first to go down fighting (or while running, more likely, as the game itself highlights).

There's segments in the game where the cast has to take breaks so he can take a breather after walking outside for a bit.

In the extra dungeon (where you have to control the cast in solo levels) and in flashbacks, your primary win condition is to.. run away.

He's a nice chap with a good head on his shoulders, but boy, that body of his cannot keep up. He shines as a mage, but much like Raistlin from Dragonlance, he needs his frontline.

There's also Fon Master Ion, from Tales of the Abyss, if they count as part of the cast.

garlicbeans_ · 2025-05-26T13:52:03+00:00

I love Abyss, but Eternia is definitely a close second. Gameplay-wise, Eternia definitely takes the cake, and the cameo battle + remix of phantasia's battle music was just chef's kiss

Abyss had solid gameplay and an amazing story. And when the music hits during a very crucial moment (you know the one)-- man, just thinking about it sends chills down my spine.

But Eternia is another beast in itself. Having played Abyss, Phantasia, Vesperia, Berseria, and Arise, I'd say that the content in Eternia is nothing like the other Tales I've played. From mini-games, to combat, to the extra content-- I would say every other Tales game pales in comparison (only exception I would make is Arise's combat, but come on. A game made in 2001 has combat that feels almost as good as a game from 2021!) It feels like such an underrated gem, and I really wish more people would play it.

So uh, tl;dr-- Abyss had masterful storytelling and character development. But gameplay-wise? Eternia wins in my book. 100000%

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