I’ve found the overall performance to be more consistent/better. The “better” part is a bit moot as every time I buy a new phone, the performance should be better than the last one just because it’s newer technology.

And while there are a lot of things I don’t like, core performance kind of overshadows any other issues I have or features I’m missing out on. Perhaps I should have said “better for my needs” instead of “better product.”

Yeah, obviously hyperbole, but there is a kind of console fanboy-ism around smartphones which is honestly bizarre.

And while I’d rather Apple not be so shitty about proprietary everything, it’s also not the end of the world.

I’ve owned flagship androids and iphones. I like my iPhone better, sorry. If other companies want to make a better product, I’ll switch back again. It’s not really about the exclusivity/walled garden nonsense.

It is crazy that it has become this much of a problem and it feels like it is on almost no one’s radar. Is this even reversible at this point? I assume not, but that it can definitely get worse.

Some people would have laughed you out of the room. A lot of people, myself included, warned that this was the kind of shit we’d spiral into with these microtransactions. It was basically confirmed within a year or two with the absolutely insane amount of money mobile gaming was seeing where the base product was just addictive crap with as many microtransactions shoveled in as possible. These games just completely blew the revenue of actual AAA titles would out of the water. It was basically inevitable and we’re now in a situation where we’ve got a generation of consumers raised on this trash.

This was my thought as well. Pretty sure I already have all of that turned off but I would have done that as part of the install and brief customizing of the UI. Can’t say I ever used a guide or anything, or even considered it unusual for modern software.

Ah, that likely explains it. I know when installing I hit “no” on anything that sounds remotely marketing related and I turned off search and weather because they just don’t add any value and I like a clean screen. So I think the only ads I get are the small, unobtrusive ones on the lock screen, which I can’t say I’m bothered by in the slightest. I barely even notice them since it isn’t like I stare at the lock screen.

I’m so confused by the ads thing. I don’t think I’ve noticed any since upgrading to Win 11. Are they only on certain editions or something?

I recently picked up Midnight Suns which, to be very clear is not FFT. However, I will say despite the kind of bad story and corny aspects of it, the actual turn based combat is excellent. I thought I would hate it being card-based but it really grew on me a lot. Definitely scratched the FFT itch.

Old games? Let me throw Final Fantasy Tactics in the mix. Easily my favorite game of all time and one of the only ones I consistently come back to, despite releasing in 1997.

If you’re not familiar, FFT is a turn-based tactics game which is very different from other mainline FF games in a lot of ways. The story is one of the best, if not the best, in the FF series. For gameplay, you recruit and manage soldiers which progress using a fairly in-depth job system which is also pretty easy to pick up.

I’m sure you could find a PSX emulator of the original but, honestly, I really recommend the updated War of the Lions edition they did for the PSP. It’s been ported to mobile and is actually a great port. My one tip for anyone who tries it is to make multiple save slots in case you find yourself overwhelmed in a story dungeon/encounter.

This would be my absolute dream. I loved BG3 but the weakest part of me was being based on D&D 5e. PF2 is just a better system in pretty much every way imo.

If they could make a PF2 CRPG, that would be incredible.

Gotta be Into Free which was the original main title music from Dragon’s Dogma.

It was removed for Dark Arisen for reasons I am unsure of, so it isn’t even something you can experience without mods.

It is wildly different from the rest of the game’s music but still connected in a way, and sets a very different vibe. Great game, great music.

Ms. Marvel is up there in terms of my favorite D+ series and what you mentioned had a lot to do with it. The end of the season felt extra corny and like some generic Netflix production but overall it was really fun.

Mostly because of her, I would like to check out The Marvels in theaters but I just don’t think we’ll have time and, realistically, it’s going to be streamable in, what, a couple of months? That’s probably the bigger issue - there aren’t really movies I’m so excited to see that I can’t wait that long.

Fantastic! I’d actually like to thank Destiny 2. Not for being a good game, but for being such a greedy microtransaction hell that I’ve sworn off all live service games.

Go fuck yourselves, WB! 😌

You got that right, Buddy.

I’ve got it purchased on Steam already, which will weird having played the franchise exclusively on Sony platforms prior. Just weathering the agonizing month until release. I am a pretty big fan of the older games, though, I think I stopped playing after either 4 or 4A. My favorites are definitely 2nd gen and 3.5 gen, with it being very difficult to nail down a particular game in that lineup.

The thing about AC which makes my love it is how layered it is and how much it can challenge you. You have a mission (or arena opponent) and need to come up with your plan to tackle it’s objectives. This is in addition to strategizing and tinkering in the garage to fine tune the perfect setup. Then within the actual mission/arena you have the execution component - not just reacting and adapting to unfolding circumstances and opponent strategies but also the executing your inputs well, as AC has always been fairly demanding from an input stress perspective.

I’m mostly excited to have a return to the classic AC formula. Play a ruthless mercenary scraping by to get credits in a post-apocalyptic sci-fi dystopia. Go through missions with kitschy Metal Gear style dialogue in pursuit of more credits and better parts. Replay missions and NG+ to get access to even more parts. All while constantly honing, adapting, and super fine tuning builds.

There’s really nothing like it, honestly. Probably will be my GotY.