I think it's a bit more real to see people say "this person didn't really affect my life but that's truly sad for their family, friends and fans" compared to the whole inauthentic performative grief thing people often do online when famous people die. Like, you can tell when someone legitimately cares because they've…

Yeah Deftones were definitely there, and the first two are certainly at the very least nu-metal-ish. I think White Pony was the first major step away from being anything like nu-metal (apart from the abomination that was Back to School, which was stuck on the WP reissue because the label wanted a single), and ever…

Really sad. That's too young. It's weird, LP were one of those first bands I got into in a big way, and one of the first ones that will have really resonated with me in terms of addressing how I was feeling - blink and Green Day obviously never quite managed that. Obviously looking back now it's cringey as all hell,…

Uhh, a googly, woogly.

Charmed.

I loved Xenoblade Chronicles X so much and I really have no idea why.

That's fair - though I'd say in the wider game rather than the main story (which is just as important to the game's overall vibe) there are plenty of characters who's quests are very spaced out, or who will reappear, or both. The wandering Rito dude with his kids, the Tarrey Town builders and the people you bring to…

That's a good point, but a lack of "interactive cut scenes" packed with quick time events, or tutorial levels interrupted by cinematic bits every minute or so is also something I'm glad Nintendo avoid. They just do things differently - there's a few cons but I'd say it's mostly pros.

I agree to an extent, but I also understand the "no narrative" approach (not that it's that simple - Pikmin is a story-driven-ish Miyamoto game). I think a big part of Nintendo's appeal to this day remains being able to just pick things up and play. No endlessly customising characters, no lengthy cutscenes, they've…

Almost 100% agree with you - I just liked 3D World a lot. Otherwise, you're spot on. I was always really disappointed that Galaxy went back to the linear overworld map rather than a more "open" world like 64 or Sunshine.

Yeah I've never been too great (good… not great) at Hitman as much as I've enjoyed it - but it looks like the new one gives you plenty of time and space to learn.

Jealous of the guy who's seen D4 30 times, I've never seen them once :(
It's hard to know how to answer this question - there are friends and local bands I've watched dozens of times. Do they count? Plenty of them have been signed to notable labels I guess. Otherwise, Los Campesinos! are probably leading the way.

Rogue Squadron is so great, I think its Gamecube sequel (Rogue Leader) is my favourite Star Wars game ever made.

I'm going to try and get involved with the Splatoon 2 preview as I LOVED the first, but it looks like it starts at 10PM GMT. SO I'll be getting stuck into Hitman on my shiny new PS4. Only had a chance to try out the training level so far but it feels great to play - can't wait to get stuck into the levels. The stuff…

Fake media calls Jim (a great man, very real) a fake. Sad!

True. I've had other consoles without batteries that don't kick off if they get switched off, though. I'm just being picky tbf.

The PS4 throws a tantrum if you turn off the plug socket on the wall while it's on sleep mode too, while the Switch just turns off safely automatically.

Agreed - grew up with Mario and an N64 but had plenty of time to play a PS1 also, and always found Crash (and Spyro) to be pale imitators. I know I'm biased but I feel like critical opinion is on my side which is always a nice, smug feeling to have.

Skiba's always been a big fan of the occult, and his years of saying he's a satanist, pagan and witch are really just for a bit of a laugh, with the added bonus of scaring a few parents. He's nowhere near Tom Delonge levels of oddball!

I've always found it's more for loud and boring people who think they're edgy, but really just make terrible jokes about rape and dead babies because they have "such a dark sense of humour", and touch people inappropriately in the pub "for a laugh".