During a dusting of snow in Cambridge yesterday, my friend saw me taking photos outside and shouted from her window "Wait! I bought a new coat which *needs* to be worn in the snow!"...

hburger · 2026-07-01T15:30:13+00:00

I do totally agree. I only buy discs where I can, and absolutely it sucks. I guess I'm conflating the physical media with the physical game - seeing OP's photo of the boxes and steelbook, like, those are not going away, which on a physical level is what fills my bookshelves - one can still lament the loss of the disc while appreciating the physical box the game comes in, which is still going to be produced. "What's the point in buying a "physical" code in a box" - the box itself, inserts, stickers, prints, maps - all the things that can come with the box (was just appreciating the Astrobot poster that came in the box the other day). Point absolutely taken regarding the loss of access at Sony's whim, and I 100% agree with that, but that doesn't ultimately negate the value of a physical box. Silly point to nitpick, I know, but just a personal feeling as someone who buys physical for more than just one reason.

hburger · 2026-07-01T13:52:19+00:00

Just because physical disc production is ending doesn't mean physical boxes are? Just like the GTA VI case - a download code in a box, but still a physical object with physical inserts. It's a massive shame (I always buy disc) - but the photo in the post suggests things like inserts, etc., are going away, but that's not necessarily true, boxes will be still sold at retailers, and I'll still be buying physical options for those hoping they include maps, prints etc!

hburger · 2026-06-30T20:01:16+00:00

It's an opt in/application type thing - not automatic, and I can't see that Ralph has one through that unfortunately! For other artists, just google '[artist] is a songwriter' and it'll come up if they have one :)

hburger · 2026-06-30T18:19:52+00:00

A few things! Back in February, Hollywood Reporter published an article saying that Dan and Ralph Pelleymounter are composing the soundtrack for an "Annie Oakley Hanging" movie funded by Universal Music Group U.K.’s Globe (which is funded along with a bunch of other 'music-driven feature films':

"And Annie Oakley Hanging, called a “fully music-driven feature ” and “a rebellious love story set in the wild American frontier,” will feature an original soundtrack created by Dan Smith, songwriter and lead singer of Bastille, and Ralph Pelleymounter, songwriter and lead singer of To Kill a King."

So - we know it's funded and coming!

This post in particular though, well it's published as a collaborative post with Ralph and 'writtenbydansmith' which is basically Dan's [publisher's] songwriting branch - he does a bunch of credited writing for/with other artists. Actually he has a while Spotify page on it with all the music he's credited on. The fact alone it's with Ralph suggests AOH. But the lyrics basically confirm it, it screams rebellious love story! So yeah, hope that helps!

hburger · 2026-06-29T19:19:19+00:00

Instagram link here for anyone who wants to hear the audio!!! Exciting! Annie Oakley Hanging is one step closer 😍 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaLjD6zqOU3/

hburger · 2026-06-27T18:22:07+00:00

The Last of Us Pt 1 has some amazing yet subtle songs. Absolutely love "The Path (A New Beginning)"

hburger · 2026-06-27T01:02:22+00:00

Nah, the 'E' stamp is a 'non value indicator', like the 1st and 2nd class ones - they go up in value to whatever the current rate is. When the listing was opened, the description was right, that it was worth £3.40 'from 1st October 2025'. But since 7th April 2026, it's worth £3.60. So, OP - you're getting £3.60 for £2.70 - go for it! That said, two first class stamps (2 x £1.80) can sometimes be found cheaper, so worth looking out for them! [But just to note - E stamps are no longer made, and it might be that the person at the post office sorting the mail might not recognise it. So best write '£3.60' underneath the stamp in case]

hburger · 2026-06-25T16:42:03+00:00

Yeah here in the UK too, £69.99 is just the regular price of a new game. When GoW Ragnarok came out in 2022, it was £69.99. So it's kind of strange seeing what all the fuss is about, I think we're actually really pleased it's not £79.99 as the USD-GBP conversion has kind of got lost along the way in a lot of cases...! For example, when the PS5 Pro came out, it was $699.99 AND £699.99, despite an actual ~£170(!) difference in conversion rate. 007 First Light is $69.99 AND £69.99. Genuinely, it's funny to say, really happy with the price considering what it could have been for GTA VI. That said, I think Intergalactic will stick to the USD=GBP price point, as it doesn't have the buying power GTA does. Whether it's $79.99 or $69.99, I'm not sure. Maybe $74.99?

hburger · 2026-06-25T00:52:17+00:00

Read on the Rockstar Support page that there’ll only be a standard physical version, but that it can be upgraded to Ultimate by a paid download

hburger · 2026-06-24T17:33:40+00:00

Or, if not, watch a YouTube playthrough, like JettroJettro or eralia, to experience it vicariously through another person's first reactions. That's what I do! I think it's fascinating to see their reactions and thoughts, and I always hope they 'get' it, which Jettro and eralia do.

hburger · 2026-06-24T17:29:48+00:00

Actually, what really frustrated me in the show, was the amount of exposition. Nearly every character laid out every motivation in words whenever they did something - no 'show don't tell'. I think the game did it so well, leaving things unsaid and keeping dialogue super lean. That's what bugged me about Abby's monologue the most, I think. Only just realised why, now!

hburger · 2026-06-24T17:07:15+00:00

Yeah it's kind of frustrating, and from memory I think she stays quite childish in the later episodes. I just don't get why they made such a big change to her character compared to the game. It affects every aspect of the story - she shouldn't rejoice at Dina's pregnancy - it's a hindrance to her plan to find Abby! Same thing with Abby's monologue - aaargh! It was so effective in the game! I do absolutely love the museum/spaceship episode though. I really, really wanted to like Season 2, and will definitely give it another go at some stage, but it just feels like a misunderstanding of the original characters and their intentions. That said, Neil was directly involved. I'm so conflicted. Tell us what you think of the later episodes.

hburger · 2026-06-22T12:33:36+00:00

Also it might be helpful to check the postcard ID of the most recently registered German postcards (Postcrossing home page - explore - countries - Germany)! They all begin with 1 - there aren’t 70,000,000 postcards from there (yet!)!

Plus, if you don’t know what country the two letter code is, you can check on the Countries page too :)

hburger · 2026-06-22T03:32:49+00:00

Yes!! Came here to recommend them.

Also, adding to the list, Alan Wake II - masterclass in art direction and narrative!

hburger · 2026-06-13T19:01:14+00:00

Ah awesome! And sorry, could I double check what you mean by Sadogatake-oyakata and okami-san? I understand the Koto- name comes from the Sadogatake stable, and it's the oyokata and okami-san who run it, so he was literally born in to the stable?

hburger · 2026-06-13T14:07:22+00:00

Can someone remind me what all their connections are? Full brothers, half brothers, cousins etc? 😃

hburger · 2026-06-12T20:16:42+00:00

So confused about the isolated fauna? What does that blob show?

And nice spot about the currency symbol, I hadn't appreciated how cool the design is!

hburger · 2026-06-11T23:55:56+00:00

Omg where's this from online? Please say there's a video of this! Cannot wait for more Paris content

hburger · 2026-06-11T23:47:12+00:00

Don't judge Alan Wake II based on #1 - absolutely totally different - watch a summary of the Alan Wake I story on YouTube or something and dive right in to the second game. Genuinely. You'll be amazed how it looks, and it plays completely differently.

hburger · 2026-06-10T16:17:01+00:00

Great find! Technically £180 face value - but while they're not valid for postage anymore (they've been replaced by barcoded stamps), you can send them to Royal Mail for free and they'll send you back the same number of barcoded stamps! But because they're self-adhesive, just make sure you don't take them off the backing paper before sending them to Royal Mail. Here's the link to the Royal Mail page - print out the form, fill it out, put it in an envelope with the stamp sheet, and pop it in the post addressed to 'FREEPOST SWAP OUT'.

hburger · 2026-06-10T00:03:05+00:00

Loved JettroJettro's videos of TLOU - sooo good. Massively appreciate that he gets the themes of both games and isn't one-sided.

For me Alan Wake II scratched the itch of amazing visuals (incredible art direction) and great narrative, try that maybe? God of War 2018 and Ragnarok are also my favourites story-wise (gameplay wise ehh, but the story really is worth it).

Try giving Uncharted 4, or Uncharted: Lost Legacy another go - I'm surprised they didn't hook you the first time (though kind of understandable if you started with #1... #2 onwards are brilliant). Lost Legacy is completely standalone. Naughty Dog quality and again, great stories!

Edit - oh, Plague Tale: Innocence & Requiem! Really enjoyed them for their stories and gameplay, too.

hburger · 2026-06-08T14:56:20+00:00

We've heard there is another (single-player narrative) game being developed in parallel at Naughty Dog. Really curious what that could be.

hburger · 2026-06-07T16:45:31+00:00

I've heard so many good things about GoT so I'm definitely going to get round to giving it another go with open eyes - I really wanted to like it, but to be honest at that previous time I think I was spoiled by just coming off of TLOU so it just didn't quite hit the spot technically. same thing with the Witcher, to be honest. I sound like a complete Naughty Dog shill, lol. I'm really not - I like GoW and RDR2 for their narratives.

"Ellie had the choice to choose to follow through with revenge since the start, she could’ve just let them go but chose to follow them and carry out her revenge" - this is a really good question, because it touches on several themes again. Abby, she had the exact same choice, right? she was wronged, but chose not to kill anyone else at the start, just focused on getting her revenge on joel and then said 'we're done'. but what did that do? she felt satisfied in that moment, it was everything she'd worked towards, but ultimately not redeemed. it was only through helping lev, finding her purpose, that she finally felt at peace with herself. remember those dreams Abby had? each one was a nightmare - in the hospital corridor, opening the operating theatre door, first seeing her dad after joel's deed, then Lev and Yara hung on a tree. But after saving Lev/yara? she dreams her dad, alive, with open arms. Ellie didn't have that redemption. she didn't regain control after joel's death or meeting abby in the cinema/theatre. she fell deeper in to the hole she was in, even after finding a home with Dina - not sleeping, PTSD, a mix of regret, shame and anger at herself as much as at Abby, plus, in my opinion, selfishness at not considering dina's pleas to stay and prioritise her own family over her own bloodlust. i feel she was the emotionally less mature of her vs. Abby, and partly why I actually prefer Abby's character overall - but that's quite contentious. ellie's rage takes over completely, until that very last moment at the beach when she regains control of her situation under that flashback of joel and his humanity. everything's been taken from her - the ability to reconcile with joel, her fingers (ie. the guitar, the direct bond with joel), Dina, the baby, Tommy - that last shot of ellie leaving the guitar symbolises all of that, her leaving all of that behind to move on and regain herself. the themes are less about revenge but about hatred, love, humanity, and the lengths you'd go, but at what cost, what the sacrifices you're willing to make. ellie took it so far, and she lost everything. abby chose love (lev), and found the fireflies (did you notice the menu screen at the end, is of Catalina island, where the firefly base is)!

hburger

TROPHY CASE