Tower of Fantasy (what I consider the first true competitor to Genshin Impact) is available for pre-load now. It is unfortunately another Chinese-made gacha, but since it is F2P I will at least try it out. I think it launches tomorrow.

Well damn it finally happened. I hit AR60 after playing fairly consistently since launch. For what its worth, even though I've been finding Genshin Impact to be lacking these days, its still an accomplishment that it got me to play for that long.

Anyone else playing the Genshin Impact event? I can't for the life of me get the last star on the claymore challenge. Its ironic because its supposedly Diluc's event, but my C3 Diluc still can't clear it. It feels like its actually designed for Itto.

I didn't know anything about Destrage, but this definitely caught my eye. It starts out as seemingly generic djent but goes some interesting directions. I'll definitely check out the new album. Some Italian metal for #ArbitraryMetalTuesday

Here's a philosophical question. Let's say a game has DLC costumes, but it turns out the data is in the main game already. So you extract the data, package it as a mod, then load it back into the game to replace some other costume. Fair game or stealing?

Woah, for the three of you that play Genshin Impact, they just released a bombshell trailer that shows off all of the Fatui Harbringers. Its the most interesting thing I've seen about GI in quite some time (I found even the Sumeru leaks underwhelming).

Question for Monster Hunter Rise folks: What am I supposed to be focusing on between HR50 and HR100? I have a build I'm satisfied with and I'm not unlocking any new armor/weapons, so it feels stagnant. Am I supposed to switch to a new weapon?

I know I'm late, but does anyone else find the PS5 controller to be uncomfortable? I just picked one up for PC and I'm not loving it. I have small/medium hands and after every play session my hands and forearms feel like they're beat-up.

What's this? A Genshin Impact event that isn't just a timed challenge? More of this please! I cleared the first day in a leisurely 8 minutes. Since you don't have to race against the clock you can even go healer team if you want. Finally some variety!

Wow, I am a believer. Easily one of the best movies I've seen in many years. I didn't think it was humanly possible to cry for 2 hours straight (either out of laughter or emotion), but Everything, Everywhere, All at Once proved me wrong.

Success! I was seemingly able to fix my PS4 controller by harvesting parts from the OG dead one I had (whose thumb sticks basically disintegrated).

My PS4 controller is finally wearing out and its too late to get a new one right now, so instead of playing Rogue Legacy 2, I will give a mild rant about it in the comments.

Finished Tunic. I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. The game is part combat and part puzzles, but neither was quite strong enough. The combat is clunky, and the puzzles get very tedious near the end. Cool concept, but execution fell short.

So anyone have any new favorites after the patch 1.04 buffs? I've been really enjoying Eochaid's Dancing Blade. It was already good pre-patch, but now you can roll out of it before the follow-up slash. The non-charged version is super practical now.

Woah, Elden Ring path 1.04 just dropped and they buffed a ton of magic and weapons. Of particular interest to me is that a bunch of weapons can now be rolled out of during their skill. For example: Eochaid’s Dancing Blade. I can't wait to try it out.

Ok Genshin Impact. You have Booba Sword, you have Geo Daddy, but why the hell would you do this and not give us a playable Taroumaru? This is a money-printing opportunity you are leaving on the table!

Thus concludes the world's longest Elden Ring playthrough ever. I clocked in at about 220 hours. Overall, a masterpiece and a game-changer for open-world design. I'm not sure if it's going to top Bloodborne for me, but it's definitely a competitor.

As I feared, post-Malena Elden Ring is kind of anti-climatic. I beat Maliketh solo and it's like "bro, only one health-bar, no healing? Go home you're drunk."

Malenia, Blade of Miquella has to be the hardest Fromsoft boss ever. Even cheesing her with a summon and then shooting her from afar is hard. My summon just ended up healing her because it took so much damage. When it died she had regained full health!

Whelp, that's Mohg Lord of Blood down. I didn't summon, but I also can't exactly say I won with honor. My strat in the comments.

Elden Ring animated. I thought it was funny.

Holy hell, I finished Ranni's questline in Elden Ring last night and what a journey. There is a more linear path like a traditional Souls game, and it is amazing where it goes. The fact that this is all just side content in a bigger game blows my mind.

Some Youtube thumbnails on my front page have Elden Ring spoilers. I gave up Twitch because everyone is playing it, now I'm going to have to give up Youtube too?

Woot, finally beat the first "real" boss "the hard way" (with no summons or ranged weapons). The feeling is better than sex.

I posted a quick blog with some easy things I did to improve Elden Ring PC performance. It won't work miracles, but it did help me out. Hopefully it will be useful to some.