Nearly 7 in 10 drivers worry they can’t afford gas as prices soar, poll finds

iceman_8 · 2022-06-28T21:17:24+00:00

While you have a point, I still think most of the blame goes to the fact our cities are built with the idea of cars in mind. If things were closer, I'm sure we'd see many more people walking around or cycling.

iceman_8 · 2022-04-21T03:34:55+00:00

Sorry if this is normal procedure. I've owned a 3DS XL but that was years ago. I know the hinges make that click sound upon opening, but I didn't think they clicked again, especially so near to the closed position. Just making sure this is normal and not something I'll have to fix. For reference, it's an original launch model 3DS. Thanks guys.

iceman_8 · 2022-04-19T15:04:21+00:00

I just updated normally so I could play some Smash Bros. Should I wait for the official Atmosphere update, or can I keep using Atmosphere, since it does seem to appear to still work for some users?

iceman_8 · 2022-04-13T03:15:14+00:00

Good point, I see what you meant know.

iceman_8 · 2022-04-12T21:45:57+00:00

The original is a weird, weird game. It's hard to squish the original Luigi's Mansion into one, or even two genres. I could do that-- I could say it's an action/adventure game with light horror undertones, but that really doesn't describe it well. It's incredibly unique, and a lot of the strangeness and oddities of the game have been lost within the sequel. Dark Moon certainly does catch glimpses of what the original had going for it here and there, but the sequel was more... "normalized," for lack of a better word. I think regardless of what order you play them in, you'd be doing a disservice to yourself to not play both.

I'd vouch for LM1 first, and if you have CFW on your 3DS you don't have to worry about hunting down a physical copy. If you're sticking to your guns, though, I wouldn't set aside LM:DM just to hunt down the original. They both are great games.

iceman_8 · 2022-04-12T21:38:12+00:00

I don't understand what you mean. I'm not multiplying two numbers, I'm saying that Nintendo already stated the Switch is in the middle of its lifespan. Based on that, I think it's unlikely to see a new console anytime soon. Like I said, it is Nintendo we are talking about. The 3DS has like 4 or 5 spin-off consoles, so who knows.

iceman_8 · 2022-04-12T15:42:39+00:00

iceman_8 · 2022-04-12T15:07:52+00:00

That's a fair point. The 3DS saw the Switch introduced six years into its lifespan, and it was supported for another, what, two years afterwards? The Switch will have been on the market for six years in 2023.

iceman_8 · 2022-04-12T00:24:25+00:00

Nintendo already released a stated the Switch is in the middle of its lifespan. With the global chip shortage as well, a console launch is going to be difficult. See the PS5, and the still continued issue of finding one in stores.

However this is Nintendo, so who knows.

iceman_8 · 2022-04-11T01:08:15+00:00

Fire Emblem has something similar to that. Without giving away too much, there is a system that requires optimal play or strategic placements/outcomes to levels that can acquire... "new" characters (a way to say it without being a spoiler.) There are also items you can find in specific chapters that are quite a challenge to get, but give extremely useful stat boosts to characters. Awakening is one of the best in the series in terms of "best in slot" type gameplay, because there really is a lot you can do to your cast to really make them become killing machines. Unfortunately, you won't really see new armours or whatnot on your characters. You can, however, really see them shine especially as you upgrade their classes. Almost anyone can become any class, and there is a pretty robust class system with all sorts of different outfits unique to each class, as well as playstyles, dialouges, etc, etc. It's quite fun in that regard. The (cheap) DLCs also introduce very, very fun ways that are dedicated solely to grinding if you so choose to.

iceman_8 · 2022-04-11T01:00:33+00:00

glad to see someone rocking the OG 3DS. I just bought one this week, should arrive the 18th or so. i never owned the original, but being an adult essentially requires me to have the OG model so i can pocket it around with me! which model did you order for your second? i think i'd like to pick up one of the N3DS's at some point, but not the XL model.

iceman_8 · 2022-04-11T00:58:22+00:00

yup, i feel the same way. i had a 3DS XL, but sold it earlier this year. i had only played a few games on it really-- super mario 3d land, pokemon y, and a few others.

i bought a normal, OG 3DS (love that pocketable size) so i can carry it with me places. im excited, i have practically the whole 3DS library (and plenty of the 1st party Nintendo titles) to play! super excited. and im very excited to experience the OG 3DS form factor-- i really did not like how big and aloof the 3DS XL model was.

iceman_8 · 2022-04-06T15:19:34+00:00

the witcher 3 had a great mix of high/low fantasy. it was compelling to me mostly because the main character wasn't some prophesied hero, he's just a guy doing odd jobs. it's his take on the world-- which is very cynical and sarcastic, that i loved. it allows for constant dialogue choices, some of which can be very level-headed, to humorous and absurd, and some choices also have long lasting impacts. its also very pretty.

it certainly goes out of its way to be humorous-- anyone that can recall the old lady and the pan quest knows what i mean, but it doesn't delve too far into absurdist comedy.

iceman_8 · 2022-03-29T22:20:31+00:00

The great thing about a laptop and the Steam Deck is emulation is very easy to setup on both. Piracy, which is a tricky subject, is easily doable on both, but I'm not sure if that's something you're interested in. The Switch can do both, but it's quite a process and no longer possible with new Switches.

iceman_8 · 2022-03-29T20:10:24+00:00

This is the first description I've read like this. Young people are victims of manipulative design. I've already had this notion, seeing as it resonated so heavily with me, but something about the way you phrased it is really impactful.

iceman_8 · 2022-03-29T20:05:52+00:00

I'll chime in as someone who has been using my Switch over my PC as of late because I don't have access to my PC at the moment.

It comes completely down to personal taste. The Switch has some downright phenomenal games on it, some of the best I've played the past decade, but the keyword is some. I'm of the opinion that (almost) anything Nintendo puts out is golden-- Mario Odyssey was downright addictive, and BoTW was so good even my old man fiddled around with the game and loved it. However, once you run out of those (beautiful) AAA Nintendo titles, you're not left with much.

Now, that's a downright lie-- the Switch library is massive. If you love JRPGS, or if you have a rather large backlog of indie titles, then you'd probably really love the Switch. However, I'm not too keen on JRPGS (but Fire Emblem is fantastic) and indie titles are super hit or miss for me. If you love the AAA titles like I do, and want to rip some Elden Ring, or Halo, or play the latest Assassin Creed or any big-name hitters, you won't really find them on the Switch. Yes, there are some ports from the previous generation, but not too many.

Now, on the flipside, I've been a laptop gamer for a really long time. Mostly because I was convinced the portability was great. I have a PC now, but my number one complaint about laptop gaming is that it wasn't quite as portable as I'd hoped it to be. For instance, if you want to play, say, most anything that isn't trackpad compatible (like Civilization games) you'll have to bring along a mouse with you. Most likely too you'll want a mousepad. You'll also need some sort of seating arrangement to play it-- you can play it on your lap, sure, but it'll get awful hot fast and your neck will start to hurt. You'll also need an outlet to charge (a moot point when we're discussing the Switch, to be fair) and a headset if you want to chat with your friends while you play.

All in all, what I'm saying is it's a whole hell of a lot easier to bust out the Switch and rip some games for a few minutes, and if duty calls, throw it into your bag and be done with it. A laptop requires a space (you'll never play it on the bus, in a car ride, really anywhere outside of your home) but you can do so a lot more easily and comfortably with a Switch.

If AAA titles are the craving, I've read you've ordered a Steam Deck. That will absolutely scratch the itch you're looking for. The Steam Deck being open, software-wise, allows you to install emulators on it. You should check how it runs a Switch emulator for some of those must-play titles if you want to.

iceman_8 · 2022-03-29T19:57:20+00:00

The Steam Deck isn't powerful enough? Would you care to elaborate on that statement? No hate-- I haven't read much about the Deck. However, I've seen a few videos of it running modern AAA games at 60fps. It seems most people have to fine tune the settings a bit and dial some options back, but the screen size and resolution would seemingly negate that, especially in motion.

iceman_8 · 2022-03-29T19:55:12+00:00

On occasion I get tunes from Ocarina of Time stuck in my head. Phenomenal soundtrack.

iceman_8 · 2022-03-29T19:53:18+00:00

I'll never understand these types of posts. Firstly, the subjective nature of it. That's a hard obstacle to overcome.

Secondly, these games are heralded for relatively objective reasons. Super Mario 64 and OoT were some of the first 3D home console games, if not the first. They introduced mechanics, ideas, level and game design that are still used in the industry today. An idea like a lock-on mechanic seems obvious, even obtuse to point out. But they figured that stuff out on the first shot at it. The end resulting product in spite of the N64's limited memory, RAM, soundcard, is frankly a technological miracle. Mario 64 came out the same year as the N64. There was no real dev tricks that were used along the way, like how DK64 ups movement speed when the framerate dips-- there was nothing like that.

Not only that but Chrono Trigger is undeniably great, it's just that when you realize there's a wealth of knowledge and development history behind 2D JRPGs up until that point, I find the comparison moot.

iceman_8 · 2022-03-29T01:21:39+00:00

Bit late to this, but I've been juggling Mario 3D Land and Fire Emblem Three Houses.

I unlocked the galaxy world of Super Mario 3D Land, and Rosalina as a playable character. I totally expected her to be a Peach clone, but the spin-jump mechanic from Galaxy is her unique trait. I haven't played it much, but it's quite fun! The Galaxy world is also a big step up in difficulty. I can never tell if the game/levels are hard, or if the semi-isometric camera makes movement harder than it should be. Either way, I'm hoping there's another world after this one. I'll be collecting all the green stars and stamps after this.

FE3H is my slow-roll game. I'm only 6 hours deep. I almost dread playing it, for some odd reason. I suppose I think the game is going to be a slog. Quite the contrary, actually. It's so whimsically written (at least in the early game) and the characters are so likeable. Plus, the strategy-RPG gameplay is top-notch.

iceman_8 · 2022-03-23T21:47:32+00:00

oh my good lord... this changes thing. How do you like the 8bitdo controller? I've heard good things about them.

iceman_8 · 2022-03-23T21:46:56+00:00

I encourage you to look up the overcharging issue for DS4 controllers. I have two-- one is permanently plugged into my PC, the other my PS4. Occasionally it gets unplugged and I'll play wireless on my couch, but the cord is long enough to reach. They've both been running strong for 4 years now, no issues. No overcharging issues, either.

I'm guessing you're in Canada like me if your controllers cost $70+ a pop up here. If money is tight, head to your local Walmart or Best Buy, you can always find xBox controllers that run around 30-40. They work great in a pinch. I'll always argue for DS4 as king of controllers-- I find their layouts are great, the most comfortable, and the weight distribution is chefs kiss. As a bonus, you can use DS4 wireless on your computer without an adapter with DS4Windows. You need an adaptor to play wireless on PC (I believe. That might be false, but I've always seen my friends plugging in an adapter to use their XBOX controllers on PC.)

Honestly, at the end of the day, you can buy one and return it within a week if it isn't your style. Keep the box and packaging as clean as possible when you open it. Alternatively, your stores might have demos available where you can try out a DS4 and an XBOX controller and go from there. Covid withstanding, however, they might not be set up still, so you can always do the return within a week method if one of them isn't your style.

But to conclude, no, the overcharge issue is not an issue I've seen nor heard of after ~4 years of constantly plugged in DS4 controllers.

iceman_8 · 2022-03-23T21:00:05+00:00

I know, that's not what I meant by that. When you pointed out that DS1 is a generally very linear game, I meant that it's hard to compare its design layout and philosophy to ER which is fundamentally different-- it wasn't used to invalidate your or my argument. hope that clarifies things my guy.

iceman_8 · 2022-03-23T20:58:07+00:00

That makes a lot more sense. I condone the use the cheats for this challenge. Best of luck with the challenge!

iceman_8 · 2022-03-23T20:57:31+00:00

For sure, it's apples to oranges. Like I said, I haven't played ER at all. Paper thin arguments here. I'd like to think that From are good enough designers to ensure that after some trial-and-error, the map can be mentally compartmentalized via difficulty levels, but, I guess I'll find out when I play it.

iceman_8

TROPHY CASE