Thursday Next

Anyone looking to upgrade? http://www.wyleshardy.com/details_single.asp?pge=2&auctionid=31218

The inFamous ones as well, First Light and Fesitval of Blood.

I have that one too. It's good.

I think what Ethan is saying is that if instead of "Buy a monster for $15, buy a hunter for $X, buy some skins for $Y" is that if they did "Expansion Pack 1 for $25" and you got the new arena, a monster, a set of hunters and some skins, it would feel like you paid a chunk of money for a good amount of content. Rather than the (arguably better value) buying exactly what you want. It's essentially the expansion pack vs microtransaction argument. On which, I'm inclined to agree with him, I prefer to pay an amount for something that feels complete, rather than trying to hoover up all the content and assemble it myself. (Ethan can correct me if I'm wrong here.)

I liked Contrast. Told a good story. Had a nifty game mechanic. Came across one really annoying chapter restarting bug. But it was a decent puzzle platformer. Especially as a PS+ freebie.

The issue with that system is that it generally favours the quickest posters as insightful comments that appear later will be hidden while the initial crowd pleasers get more views, more upvotes and therefore become entrenched. Not saying it is bad, just pointing out that it is not perfect.

Just Frozen Synapse now.

German actually has three, masculine, feminine and neute. (Der, die, das).

Anybody want a copy of Frozen Cortex and / or Synapse? I have a spare of each on Steam.

Ahhh, dial up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgqEIp2YmtE

While I take that point, there are characters that are pivotal in some books, (like Granny Weatherwax) that have walk on parts in other books (like Thief of Time). If you read the DEATH books first then the events of Lords and Ladies are much less tense. I like reading them in order of release. It helps prevent me getting burnt out on Sam Vimes, DEATH or Granny books and gives characters that don't necessarily have whole books to themselves, like Vetinari, a consistent feel. I think this is one of those matters of opinion like watching Star Wars movies in release order (to maintain Vader is Luke's father suspense) or chronological order (to get the worst one out of the way first), same goes for Hobbit and LotR trilogies, though I imagine most would be happy with Hobbit --> LotR.

Yeah man, when will us white guys ever catch a break?

I'm up to book 17 (of 41) of Pratchett's Discworld novels. They continue to delight.

@Mal, thanks for saving my life! please don't shoot me in the junk.

Jasper Fforde, Shades of Grey (no not that one). http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shades-Grey-Jasper-Fforde/dp/0340963050 Comes in Kindle, Physical, and Audio. Technically it's part one, but there is no part two yet, and it stands well on its own.

@Kenshi - While it wasn't intentional, I suppose that is how I rate games. Does it objectively work? If it works is it subjectively good?

can tax the hell out of everyone who uses it like you do with alcohol and tobacco. Seriously, you could turn an expensive "war on drugs" into a MASSIVE revenue generator.

^Why I dislike most of Tarantino's output.^

I think MGS2 euro extreme game overed when you were spotted but it didn't nuke your save.

Gotca! I will allow this system.

I assure you the "objective" bit was entirely facetious.

My out of ten scale is: 1 Game is so broken it cannot actually be played. Nobody should ever play. 2 Game has a number of bugs that can easily prevent completion. Nobody should ever play. 3 Game is barely functional. Bugs cause serious gameplay issues. Nobody should ever play. 4 Game is functional but nothing is executed well. Hardcore fans of the subject matter (looking at StarWars fans) may start to jump on here and not hate it. 5 Passing grade. There is nothing actually wrong with the game, but there is nothing appealing. Something to pass the time when all other avenues for entertainment are gone. Bargain bin £5 purchase (for full priced console release). 6 Game does some stuff right, but is overall not great. Casual fans of the subject matter and/or genre will enjoy it, most people will find it tolerable but wouldn't choose to play it over something else in their collection. 7 Good example of its genre, most people would enjoy it unless they particularly dislike the genre. 8 Very good game all round. People who don't usually like the genre will find something to enjoy. Everyone else will really like it. High level of polish. 9 Best in class. Definitive for its genre, will turn haters into likers etc etc etc. 10 Definitive for the world of games, sets a new benchmark, hails a new genre coming to prominence. Gamers and non-gamers alike should experience it. Based on the above, The Order looks like a 6/7. Which is how it is rating. Which means that my scale is objectively correct.

What like an ink ribbon thing? Because I don't like the sound of that.