The graphics are beautiful. The gameplay basics look solid. I desperately want a new open-world sci-fi co-op game.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana | Switch

I’ve always hoped that it would be the Summerset Isle because the next narrative move needs to resolve the tension between the Aldermi and the Empire. High Rock/Hammerfell could frame events that are deeply connected to Summerset, but I would have thought it would make more sense to set it there directly.

In Marc Bloch’s Strange Defeat—his incredible accounting of why the French fucked up so badly at the beginning of WW2—he has this anecdote of a French Officer who is startled as a vehicle and some troops drive by his position, going away from the front. He says to a comrade, essentially, “Where do they think they’re…

I’m actually glad they’re embracing the ridiculousness. Battlefield 1 tried to hide it, but now the tone matches up with how the games usually play.

Who is the audience for this tweet? I mean, I know it’s his reality-lite supporters, but it’s like he says these things and he can’t do anything about them. He speaks like he isn’t the POTUS, that he’s completely impotent. How are there not huge swaths of his supporters who are like “Bitch, do something about it.”

Hearing both; I hear the “y” and “a” sounds then there is a distinct tone that introduces “Laurel.” To me, it’s like both are being said at the same time at different pitches, Yanny starting just before Laurel.

I mean, of course it’s going to be reversed. But if it wasn’t . . .what an incredible lesson in losing everything you care about—both in universe and as a fan. “They’re not coming back. They can’t. This is what it means to survive: pain.” But Disney, so, no?

There is a stunning book by Laurie Sheck called “A Monster’s Notes” that visits much this situation. . .except the monster is real, and she meets it in the graveyard—not P.B. so read into that what you will—and then proceeds to encounter it at various stages of her life—while cutting to stirring narratives from the…

It’s what brought me back to the game. I always loved the gunplay of PUBG, but the high stakes of a fight meant I never got to do enough with it. Now, I get to do some warm-up with a pretty fun large-scale deathmatch and then feel better stepping into the battle royale. It’s done its duty: it brought me back and helps…

marking the Rapture, the belief that Christ will bring the faithful into paradise prior to a period of tribulation on earth that precedes the end of time.

Progressive Field

I feel like FFXV—based on my 17 hours with the game—belongs in the pantheon of Japanese games that just do the mundane so well. It makes me think of MGSV where all these details just charm you into liking it despite its obvious flaws. It builds this clear vision of a journey, of inhabiting this world, and that’s…

If anyone lives in the Denver area, you need to go to Annette as soon as possible. It was actually missing from the database (submitted now), but it was called one of the best new restaurants in the country last year. And it was just nominated for two James Beard awards. The chef/owner Caroline Glover is a treasure.

Hi, as someone who lives in Colorado and works in education here, I have no idea what you’re talking about.

Hoping to live out some Steampunk Mouse Guard fantasies

Jury-rigged is the actual term. It comes from sailing. Jerry-built is the other expression. And it’s just mean to Jerrys.

You’re missing the “WICKED”

That’s the real problem, right? How can his character arc be compelling?

There’s a track on this soundtrack called “One Who Bears Fangs At God.” Just wanted to point out how badass that title is. Not to mention the fact that it plays (I’m pretty sure) during the different stages of the final boss fight.