Messages

1

General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2025!!!

« on: December 27, 2024, 10:59:08 pm »

Tier List (Updated: 7/5)

Finished:
1. Tomb Raider I Remastered (XSX): 1/11
2. ATLYSS [Early Access] (PC): 1/21
3. Ubari Magic Postcard Maker (PC): 1/22
4. Sonic Frontiers (XSX): 1/29
5. Gunfright [Rare Replay] (XSX): 1/29
6. Import Tuner Challenge (360): 2/7
7. Balatro (PC): 2/10
8. Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap (PC): 2/13
9. R.E.P.O. [Early Access] (PC): 3/6
10. SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated [100%] (XSX): 3/15
11. MULLET MADJACK (PC): 3/18
12. SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game (XSX): 3/20
13. Lil Gator Game (PC): 4/1
14. Botany Manor (XSX): 4/15
15. Little Kitty, Big City (XSX): 5/15
16. Fire Truck (Arcade): 5/15
17. Maximum Force (Arcade): 5/18
18. Viper Phase 1: USA (Arcade): 5/18
19. Zenless Zone Zero [Season 1] (PC): 5/23
20. HELLDIVERS 2 (PC): 5/23
21. DOOM: The Dark Ages (PC): 6/2
22. R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 ~USA Story~ (PS1): 6/15
23. Banjo-Kazooie (XSX): 6/21
24. Mafia: Definitive Edition (PC): 7/14
25. ToHeart [2025 Remake] (PC): 8/8
26. PEAK (PC): 8/17
27. OFF [2025 Remaster] (PC): 8/24
28. Snake Rattle 'n' Roll [Rare Replay] (XSX): 9/1
29. Assassin's Creed Mirage (XSX): 9/6

Currently Playing:
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- VA-11 HALL-A

2

Video Game Database Discussion / Re: Developer/Publisher Requests

« on: August 29, 2024, 04:14:49 pm »

https://vgcollect.com/item/271386
Developer: Fragaria

3

Off Topic / Re: What are your top 10 favorite musical artists/bands/composers?

« on: June 02, 2022, 02:41:46 pm »

I haven't listened to Kanye's extensive discography, as I still need to listen to Graduation, 808s, MBDTF, and Donda 2. Something about Jesus Is King just has a nice, cohesive listening element to it, though. I also really like Yeezus, but I remember there being some tracks that I thought weren't too successful in its back end. If Donda had been halved, I'd probably have a higher opinion for it too. Generally, I think that a project which is more concise and focused on its themes are more successful. Additionally, I also find myself seeing the beauty in more gospel-focused pieces at times. "God Is" is one of my favorite Kanye tracks. I also enjoy The Life of Pablo too, but I consider it a project that becomes less successful as it continues, as its back half struggles and largely loses my interest.

Susumu Hirasawa - Kyuusai no Gihou
Not familiar with Hirasawa in particular, but I have previously heard some P-Model songs that I enjoyed. I can definitely hear the similarities between some tracks and the soundtrack for Paprika, especially with the album's opening track Town-0 Phase-5. World music is okay at times, but it's never something I ever find myself actively listening. I did enjoy this album, though. Also, I started watching the Berserk anime after listening to this album not realizing that Susumi Hirasawa contributed music to its soundtrack, and I immediately recognized it once the vocals began.

The Weeknd - Trilogy (House of Balloons, Thursday, Echoes of Silence)
As a note, I did not listen to these three projects in one sitting. They were originally released as separate works, and that is how I view them. Overall, they're all solid albums to play. Each album has at least a couple of standout tracks I found throughout listening.

Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works 85-92
Aphex Twin is an artist I definitely should devote time to listening to their backlog. I've only really ever listened to Drukqs and Come to Daddy prior to listening your suggestion. With that said, this album provided enjoyable background music, although nothing in particular caught my attention.

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion
I'm actually glad you suggested this album. Early throughout my listen, I was reminded of "Peacebone" from their previous album while listening, although I wasn't sure what exactly the song was or the song's artist but clearly remembered its music video and sound. Up until this point, that was the only song of theirs which I had listened. I found Merriweather to be a great listen with its fun and upbeat moods and will explore more of the artist's releases in time. I've listened to it three or four times already.

Can - Future Days
Personally, I am not the biggest fan of long, drawn out tracks, so the 20-minute album closer wasn't something that I particularly enjoyed in its entirety. With that said, I first didn't really enjoy Future Days at all, but I gave it numerous listens. Finally, after re-visiting it about a week later on my fourth listen, I enjoyed it a lot. The opening minutes to "Bel Air" were nice especially. Did it need to be a 20-minute song, though? Probably not.

The Stooges - Fun House
I have not listened to very much rock and early punk from the '70s. That being said, Fun House was not something that immediately caught my attention. I did enjoy "Dirt," though. It's not to say that this album was bad, but I certainly need more listening experience throughout this moment in time for both rock and punk genres.

Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique
Being straightforward, I just don't think I am a fan of the group. I've heard some singles prior to this album listen—and they're okay—but their collective works are not something I would ever find myself visiting on my own. The songs for Paul's Boutique maintain that level of energy that they're known for, but it's not a sound for me with none of the tracks making a stand-out impression or even a favorable sound. After a new album listen, I generally will re-visit tracks that caught my attention, but I couldn't do that with this album.

Viper - The Hiram Clarke Hustler
This was interesting. I haven't listened to much of cloud rap or other sub-genres of experimental hip-hop aside from some Lil B long ago. Going into The Hiram Clarke Hustler, it was definitely something that didn't quite connect with me at first. However, after a subsequent listen, I found myself enjoying each track, with the latter few tracks in particular seeming most successful to me. This isn't an album I would actively play, but it's still something I appreciate and enjoy.

I gave each of these albums at least two full listens (with most receiving more) before making any sound judgement. Overall, I enjoyed the suggestions.

Wow, I'm surprised you listened to everything I recommended, multiple times too. I tried picking albums that were similar to your list, but I wanted to keep it one genre per album (I saw Frank Ocean so I recommended The Weeknd, The Stooges cause I saw Fugazi and Pixies, Beastie Boys cause I saw MF DOOM and other alternative hip-hop, etc.). If I'd known, I would probably have recommended you more experimental shit besides Selected Ambient Works and the Beastie Boys one. I just added those cause they're a part of the essentials.

4

Off Topic / Re: What are your top 10 favorite musical artists/bands/composers?

« on: May 07, 2022, 09:49:26 pm »

1. Kanye West
2. Radiohead
3. Can
4. King Crimson
5. Pink Floyd
6. Fishmans
7. Frank Ocean
8. Miles Davis
9. Autechre
10. Viper the Rapper

I wasn't really anticipating to reply to this post, but I did finally finish working on a personal top 100 albums list after working on it casually for about nine months. It's not exactly what this thread is about, but I figured I'd share it somewhere, and this thread seemed best.

Here is the post on imgur. I created four templates—by alphabet, by release date, by genre, and by nationality.

I had certain criteria for my list:
- one album per artist
- no compilations from numerous artists
- no soundtracks

If you have any recommendations based on my choices, I gladly welcome them!

Lots of great shit on this list. I gotta ask though: what made you put Jesus Is King over every other Kanye album?

I'll recommend you:
- Susumu Hirasawa - Kyuusai no gihou (aka. Technique of Relief)
- The Weeknd - Trilogy (compilation of albums House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence)
- Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works 85-92
- Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
- Can - Future Days
- The Stooges - Fun House
- Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique
And if you want some weird hip-hop, try Viper - The Hiram Clarke Hustler