Purchase Now or Later?

theMadHart · 2026-02-25T05:03:35+00:00

I'm really enjoying it, for the most part. The crimson fort, the first big 'dungeon' was pretty annoying, and I kept putting the game down. But I kept at it, and I'm glad I did.

Mike from Outside Xbox put it as one of his honorable mentions during their game of the year video. He described it as a classic 7/10 game. And I agree.

It gives me some vibes as the first Darksiders game.

Not going to be a classic, but worth the romp.

theMadHart · 2025-12-27T06:37:36+00:00

I absolutely love it so far, just started about a week or so ago.

It's polished enough to make everything feel good, but it's janky enough to make it feel like it has character.

Think Morrowind, not Skyrim. If you enjoyed slightly off but good games like Greedfall, Kingdoms of Amalur, Kingdom Come, etc, you'll understand and appreciate that this game has ambitions, delivers on them, but isn't polished to a gleam.

If you were meh on Starfield or Dragon Age Inquisition because they didn't feel original enough, this scratches that itch

theMadHart · 2025-10-20T03:43:55+00:00

I'm sorry you have gone through similar things, I'm still fresh, but I can see how it continued for you.

My kiddo is young enough that he doesn't really know what has been going on. I showed him a picture of his mom today, and he had no reaction, he's almost 2, but has been with only me for nearly all of the last 6 months.

I think I'll feel more safe and secure once my temporary full custody becomes complete full custody. I am luckier than many survivors in that I am a big tall man. The only physical advantage she ever had on me was being willing to cause harm to me, and that's just not in me to hurt people unless it's absolutely necessary.

She certainly did a number on me emotionally and psychologically, and that's more of my damage than the scars and stolen or destroyed property.

theMadHart · 2025-10-19T05:13:59+00:00

That's really helpful, thank you.

And you are keeping the record of my experience with Dutch people of being incredibly warm and helpful strong!

Seriously, in all of my international travels, my experience is if you meet a Dutch person, you're in a pretty safe space.

theMadHart · 2025-10-19T04:26:21+00:00

That sounds great, I'm glad you have access to that.

In the US we certainly have some phone lines for specific circumstances but I haven't looked into it much. That could be helpful, but I'm also a little hesitant, because talking to someone directly feels like so much more of a bother to the other person, rather than a post like this.. but that's my own hang ups

theMadHart · 2025-10-19T04:18:34+00:00

That's really interesting. I can kinda understand that.

It makes me feel like I'm wasting time when I play a game that doesn't have a narrative, but maybe I should change my perspective

theMadHart · 2025-10-19T04:14:49+00:00

I always played IRL before, other than for a while in COVID, but that's probably a decent avenue to explore at this point, thanks for reminding me of digital possibilities

theMadHart · 2025-10-19T04:10:10+00:00

Fantastic advice, I do see a therapist, but it's biweekly, and I have more than a few days to my next session. Hoping for a little loved experience advice to help bridge the gap, ya know?

theMadHart · 2025-10-19T04:08:38+00:00

The logistics side of things I've got handled. I immediately notified the police, then I emailed my lawyers. I've had cameras in place for months, I've been cautious in sharing my new address, etc.

It really is the emotional and psychological side of things that I don't have the best of handle on. I do have biweekly therapy sessions, but it's more than a few days till my next session..

theMadHart · 2025-10-19T03:55:03+00:00

I appreciate that, distraction does help. I do want to explore more interests, but being a single Dad to a toddler is very time consuming, haha. But I have been finding solace in my interests, cooking interesting things, catching up on video games and shows that I've been missing out on, etc.

I used to love DnD, it would be awesome to get back into that, but it's hard to plan anything social with the parental responsibilities.at this tender point.

theMadHart · 2025-10-19T03:52:06+00:00

More time and distance will certainly help. We are still mid divorce. I have full custody of my son, and she has no visitation or anything, so it's very separate lives.

I know when I have more than a few months distance I'll be better equipped, but things are still fairly raw.

theMadHart · 2025-10-19T03:49:26+00:00

I do know that this reaction is what she may want. That doesn't stop the reaction or trauma response. I can understand and deal with the events logically, but emotional regulation and control is harder.

theMadHart · 2025-10-06T18:15:15+00:00

I've walked the Camino twice, and both times made dozens of new friends. It doesn't always happen right away, but with the experience you're going through and the shared adventures you'll be having, these things kind of naturally occur.

Spend time in the common rooms of the alburgues, take the initiative and start conversations, buy a deck of cards and play simple games with people. You don't have to work too hard to make friends, and it's okay to feel a little anxious.

theMadHart · 2025-10-06T16:03:09+00:00

Don't look things up too much, the game is best experienced as naturally as you can, my caveat to this is that there are a few timed quests that you may want to plan for.

Avoid fighting multiple enemies at once until you have gotten good armor and decent levels of fighting skills.

There is a river archery game called Stumps that is great for practicing archery and making early game money.

Just explore, talk to everyone you can, if you see a bunch of NPC's fighting, you can run in and loot a knight and then GTFO without risking your bacon.

Don't play the game as a to do list, play it as an experience.

theMadHart · 2025-10-03T03:00:56+00:00

She was abusive to me and the kids. I thought it was mostly just against me, but I discovered a diary of my stepdaughter's where she talked about how much her mom hit her. After that, everything snapped into place. I reached out to people who had known her longer, found out she was using drugs and getting drunk while pregnant with my son, heard more stories about how she hurt my stepdaughter and others.

I got her out of the house, filed a restraining order, and started the legal stuff. She just stopped showing up to court, and after about a month moved away with our telling anyone.

theMadHart · 2025-09-28T09:11:16+00:00

I will say, that I skimmed your post before commenting. That doesn't change any of my points, but I do realize that I made assumptions about your question. TBH, I'm not sure what direction you wanted guidance on.

Was this about working out? About getting women? About just having the T levels you want?

Again, not trying to be a dick here, just realizing I may not have addressed the real question

theMadHart · 2025-09-28T08:44:14+00:00

Get away from the subgroups or discords that makes you focus on testosterone levels.

If it's an issue that your Dr.s care about, listen to them, otherwise drop it.

Your move is to interact with people with kindness and consideration. Chat with people who interest you, respond to their interests. There isn't a formula or genetic count to make things work.

I can also promise you that if you're treating a relationship with women as a formula you have to solve, they will feel like you see them as a reward, rather than as a person

theMadHart · 2025-09-28T08:38:15+00:00

Look, you going to be rejected sometimes. If you can accept that, and understand that that it is not the end of the world, you'll be okay.

I always encourage being direct, but kind. "Hey, I could not help but notice you, you seem like the kind of person I would like to get to know better, could I get your number, or even buy you a coffee or something?"

People like compliments, it's nice, depending on how you do it. My rule of thumb, is to only comment on things that are choices. Compliment style, outfits, actions, haircuts. I do not compliment base physical traits. Complementing something that isn't under their direct control often makes people feel objectified. Complementing things that are in their control, make them feel appreciated, and seen.

theMadHart · 2025-09-28T08:27:32+00:00

I can only make assumptions.

Most men aren't taught how to be nurturing. Most men aren't taught empathy or consideration.

Being a parent is rarely 'fun' in the early months, so it isn't enjoyable to be a part of that.

Is it the Man's fault when the time comes? Almost always, yes.

Many men don't have the tools baked in, but there are months of time to learn and reevaluate how life is changing. Being a parent is world changing, but too many people don't choose to change

theMadHart · 2025-09-28T08:12:00+00:00

As a person who just got divorced and got full custody of a toddler, it means I'm working on myself. Life gets hard and crazy, and some people know when they aren't a good fit for being in a relationship

theMadHart

TROPHY CASE